Control device configured to provide visual feedback

ABSTRACT

A control device configured for use in a load control system to control an external electrical load may provide simple feedback regarding the operation of the control device. For example, the control device may comprise a base portion configured to be mounted to an electrical wallbox or over a mechanical switch, and a control unit connected to the base portion. The control unit may comprise a rotation portion rotatable with respect to the base portion, an actuation portion, and a light source. The control unit may be configured to control the light source to illuminate at least an illuminated portion of the actuation portion in response to actuations of the rotation portion and the actuation portion. In addition, the control unit may provide a limit indication on the illuminated portion by blinking the illuminated portion when the electrical load has reached a limit.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/567,922, filed on Sep. 11, 2019, which claims priority from U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 62/729,810, filed Sep. 11, 2018 andU.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/846,275, filed May 10, 2019,which are each hereby incorporated by reference herein in theirentireties.

BACKGROUND

In accordance with certain installations of load control systems, one ormore standard mechanical toggle switches may be replaced by moreadvanced load control devices (e.g., dimmer switches). Such load controldevices may operate to control an amount of power delivered from analternative current (AC) power source to an electrical load. Theprocedure of replacing a standard mechanical toggle switch with a loadcontrol device typically requires disconnecting electrical wiring,removing the mechanical toggle switch from an electrical wallbox,installing the load control device into the wallbox, and reconnectingthe electrical wiring to the load control device. Often, such aprocedure is performed by an electrical contractor or another skilledinstaller. Average consumers may not feel comfortable undertaking theelectrical wiring that is necessary to complete installation of a loadcontrol device. Accordingly, there is a need for a load control systemthat may be installed into an existing electrical system that has amechanical toggle switch, without requiring any electrical wiring work.

SUMMARY

A control device configured for use in a load control system to controlan external electrical load, such as a lighting device, may providefeedback (e.g., simple feedback) regarding the operation of the controldevice. For example, the control device may comprise a base portionconfigured to be mounted to an electrical wallbox or over a mechanicalswitch, and a control unit configured to connect to the base portion.The control unit may comprise a rotation portion rotatable with respectto the base portion, an actuation portion having a front surface, alight source, and a control circuit. The control circuit may beconfigured to control the light source to illuminate at least anilluminated portion on the front surface of the actuation portion (e.g.,near the top of the front surface of the actuation portion). In responseto a rotation of the rotation portion, the control circuit may determinefirst control data for controlling the lighting device, control thelight source to illuminate the illuminated portion of the actuationportion, and transmit control signals including the first control data.In response to an actuation of the actuation portion, the controlcircuit may determine second control data for controlling the lightingdevice, control the light source to illuminate the illuminated portionof the actuation portion, and transmit control signals including thesecond control data. The control unit may also comprise a mask that maybe located between the light source and the actuation portion and mayhave an aperture through which light emitted by the light source mayshine onto the actuation portion. In addition, the control unit may beconfigured to control the light source to emit light from a rear side ofthe control unit to illuminate at least a portion of a faceplate of themechanical switch to which the base portion is mounted.

The control circuit may be configured to provide a limit indication whenthe lighting device is at or has reached a limit (e.g., a high-end trimor maximum intensity). The control circuit may provide the limitindication on the illuminated portion of the actuation portion inresponse to determining that the rotation portion has been continuouslyrotated by a predetermined threshold amount. For example, thepredetermined threshold amount may be an amount of rotation required toraise the lighting device from a low-end intensity to a high-endintensity. In addition, the control circuit may keep track of anintensity of the lighting device and provide the limit indication on theilluminated portion of the actuation portion when the intensity of thelighting device has reached the limit. Further, the control unit maycomprise a communication circuit configured to receive a messageindicating that the lighting device has reached a limit, and the controlcircuit may provide the first indication on the illuminated portion ofthe actuation portion in response to receiving the message indicatingthat the lighting device has reached the limit.

The control circuit may also be configured to determine control data foradjusting a color temperature of the one or more lighting devices inresponse to the rotation of the rotation portion. The control circuitmay illuminate the illuminated portion at a first color (e.g., acool-white or blue color) when the rotation portion is rotated in afirst direction (e.g., to raise the color temperature), and illuminatethe illuminated portion at a second color (e.g., a warm-white or redcolor) when the rotation portion is rotated in a second direction (e.g.,to lower the color temperature).

The control device may also be configured to provide advanced feedbackon a visible indicator of the control unit. In response to a rotation ofthe rotation portion, the control circuit may determine control data forcontrolling an intensity of the lighting device, control the lightsources to illuminate at least a portion of the visible indicator toindicate an intensity of the lighting device, and transmit controlsignals including the control data. The control circuit may beconfigured to control the plurality of light sources to provide thelimit indication on the visible indicator when the intensity of thelighting device has reached a limit.

A control device configured for use in a load control system to controlan external electrical load, such as a lighting device, may providefeedback regarding the operation of the control device. The controldevice may comprise a base portion configured to be mounted to anelectrical wallbox or over a mechanical switch, and a control unitconfigured to connect to the base portion. The control device maycomprise a control unit, which may be connected to the base portion. Thecontrol unit may comprise an actuation portion a light source and. Thelight source may be configured to emit light from the rear side of thecontrol unit. For example, the light source may be configured to emitlight from the rear side of the control unit and illuminate a portion ofa faceplate of the mechanical switch (e.g., the mechanical switch towhich the control unit is mounted on).

A portion of the faceplate of the mechanical switch may be illuminatedto provide feedback in response to a user interface event. For example,the control unit may be configured to control the light source toilluminate an entire perimeter surrounding the control unit on thefaceplate of the mechanical switch in response to an actuation of theactuation portion. Also, or alternatively, the control unit may beconfigured to control the light source to illuminate a segment of theperimeter surrounding the control unit in a certain color (e.g., red) toindicate a low-battery condition after detecting the actuation of theactuation portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A and 1B depict example load control systems that includes one ormore example control devices.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an example control device that may bedeployed as a dimmer switch and/or a remote control device of the loadcontrol systems illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B.

FIGS. 3A-3D illustrate different forms of simple feedback that may beprovided by the control device of FIG. 2.

FIG. 3E shows an example plot of the intensity of an illuminated portionof the control device of FIG. 2 with respect to time in response to anactuation of an actuator.

FIG. 3F shows an example plot of the intensity of an illuminated portionof the control device of FIG. 2 with respect to time in order togenerate a “heartbeat” animation.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of another example control device that maybe deployed as a dimmer switch and/or a remote control device of theload control systems illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B.

FIGS. 5A-5B illustrate different forms of simple feedback that may beprovided by the control device of FIG. 4.

FIGS. 6A-6C illustrate different forms of advanced feedback that may beprovided by the control device of FIG. 4.

FIG. 7A is a front perspective view of an example remote control devicethat may be deployed as a remote control device of the load controlsystems illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B with a control unit detached froma base portion.

FIG. 7B is a rear perspective view of the control unit and the baseportion of the remote control device depicted in FIG. 7A.

FIG. 7C is a front exploded view of the control unit of the remotecontrol device depicted in FIG. 7A.

FIG. 7D shows a rear exploded view of the control unit of the exampleremote control device depicted in FIG. 7C.

FIG. 8A is a front perspective view of an example remote control devicethat may be deployed as a remote control device of the load controlsystem illustrated in FIG. 1 with a control unit detached from a baseportion.

FIG. 8B is a rear perspective view of the control unit of the remotecontrol device of FIG. 8A.

FIG. 8C is a front exploded view of the control unit of the remotecontrol device depicted in FIG. 8A.

FIG. 8D shows a rear exploded view of the control unit of the exampleremote control device depicted in FIG. 8C.

FIG. 8E is a perspective view of the control unit of FIG. 8A mounted toa pedestal in a horizontal orientation.

FIG. 9 shows a simplified block diagram of an example control devicethat may be deployed as a remote control device of the load controlsystems illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B.

FIGS. 10-12 are flowcharts of example control procedures that may beexecuted by a control unit of a control device is response to rotationsof a rotation portion.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1A and 1B depict examples of a load control system 100 that mayimplement one or more message types for communicating messages (e.g.,digital messages). As shown in FIG. 1A, the load control system 100 mayinclude various control devices, such as controller devices and/or loadcontrol devices. A controller device may send digital messages to theload control device to cause the load control device to control theamount of power provided from an AC power source 102 to an electricalload in the load control system 100.

Load control devices may control the electrical loads within a roomand/or a building. Each load control device may be capable of directlycontrolling the amount of power provided to an electrical load inresponse to communication from a controller device. Example load controldevices may include lighting devices 112 a, 112 b and/or lighting device122 (e.g., a load control device in light bulbs, ballasts, LED drivers,etc.). The lighting devices may be a lighting load itself, or a devicethat includes the lighting load and a lighting load controller.

A controller device may indirectly control the amount of power providedto an electrical load by transmitting digital messages to the loadcontrol device. The digital messages may include control data, such ascontrol instructions (e.g., load control instructions), an indication ofan actuation of a button or actuator, or another indication that causesthe load control device to determine load control instructions forcontrolling an electrical load. Example controller devices may include aremote control device 116. The controller devices may include a wired orwireless devices.

Control devices (e.g., controller devices and/or load control devices)may communicate with other control devices and/or other devices viawired and/or wireless communications. The control devices maycommunicate using digital messages transmitted in a wireless signal. Forexample, the control devices may communicate via radio frequency (RF)signals 106. The RF signals 106 may be communicated via any suitable RFcommunications protocol (e.g., ZIGBEE®; Thread; near field communication(NFC); BLUETOOTH®; WI-FI®; a proprietary communication protocol, such asCLEAR CONNECT™, etc.). The digital messages may be transmitted asmulticast messages and/or unicast messages via the RF signals 106.

The lighting device 122 may be installed in a plug-in device 124, suchas a lamp (e.g., a table lamp). The plug-in device 124 may be coupled inseries electrical connection between the AC power source 102 and thelighting device 122. The plug-in device 124 may be plugged into anelectrical receptacle 126 that is powered by the AC power source 102.The plug-in device 124 may be plugged into the electrical receptacle 126or a separate plug-in load control device that is plugged into theelectrical receptacle 126 and configured to control the power deliveredto the lighting device 122.

The lighting devices 112 a, 112 b may be controlled by a wall-mountedload control device 110. Though the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b areshown in FIG. 1A, any number of lighting devices may be implemented thatmay be supported by the wall-mounted load control device 110 and/or theAC power source 102. The wall-mounted load control device 110 may becoupled in series electrical connection between the AC power source 102and lighting devices 112 a, 112 b. The wall-mounted load control device110 may include a mechanical switch 111 (e.g., a previously-installedlight switch) that may be opened and closed in response to actuations ofa toggle actuator (not shown) for controlling the power delivered fromthe AC power source 102 to the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b (e.g., forturning on and off the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b). The lightingdevices 112 a, 112 b may be installed in respective ceiling mounteddownlight fixtures 114 a, 114 b or other lighting fixture mounted toanother surface. The wall-mounted load control device 110 may be adaptedto be wall-mounted in a standard electrical wallbox.

The remote control device 116 may be configured to transmit messages viathe RF signals 106 for controlling the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b.The remote control device 116 may be a retrofit remote control devicemounted over the toggle actuator of the mechanical switch 111. Theremote control device 116 may be configured to maintain the toggleactuator of the mechanical switch 111 in the “on” position (e.g., bycovering the switch when in the “on” position) to maintain the flow ofpower from the AC power source 102 to the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b.The remote control device 116 may comprise an actuation portion 117 thatmay be actuated (e.g., pushed in towards the mechanical switch 111) anda rotation portion 118 (e.g., a rotary knob) that may be rotated (e.g.,with respect to the mechanical switch 111). Though a rotation portion118 is disclosed, the remote control device 116 may include another typeof intensity adjustment actuator, such as a linear slider, an elongatedtouch sensitive actuator, a rocker switch, separate raise/loweractuators, or another form of intensity adjustment actuator. The remotecontrol device 116 may be battery-powered. In addition, the remotecontrol device 116 may be mounted to another structure (e.g., other thanthe toggle actuator of the mechanical switch 111), such a as wall, maybe attached to a pedestal to be located on a horizontal surface, or maybe handheld. Further, the wall-mounted load control device 110 maycomprise a wall-mounted remote control device that replaces thepreviously-installed mechanical switch 111 and may be configured tooperate as the remote control device 116 to control the lighting devices112 a, 112 b (e.g., by transmitting messages via the RF signals 106).Such a wall-mounted remote control device may derive power from the ACpower source 102.

The lighting devices 112 a, 112 b may be turned on or off, or theintensity level may be adjusted, in response to the remote controldevice 116 (e.g., in response to actuations of the actuation portion 117of the remote control device 116). For example, the lighting devices 112a, 112 b may be toggled on or off by a toggle event identified at theremote control device 116. The toggle event may be a user eventidentified at the remote control device 116. The actuation portion 117of the remote control device 116 may be actuated to toggle the lightingdevices 112 a, 112 b on or off. The rotation portion 118 of the remotecontrol device 116 may be rotated to adjust the intensities of thelighting devices 112 a, 112 b. The toggle event may be identified whenthe rotation portion 118 of the remote control device 116 is turned fora predefined angular distance and/or for a predefined amount of time,and/or the actuation portion 117 of the remote control device 116 isactuated. The intensity level of the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b maybe increased or decreased by rotating the rotation portion 118 of theremote control device 116 in one direction or another, respectively. Forexample, the intensity level of each lighting device 112 a, 112 b may beadjusted between a high-end intensity (e.g., a maximum intensity, suchas approximately 100%) and a low-end intensity (e.g., a minimumintensity, such as approximately 0.1%-10%). Though shown as comprising arotary knob in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the remote control device 116 maycomprise a paddle switch that may be actuated by a user, a linearcontrol on which a user may swipe a finger, a raise/lower slider, arocker switch, or another type of control capable of receiving userinterface events as commands.

The remote control device 116 may provide feedback (e.g., visualfeedback) to a user of the remote control device 116 on a visibleindicator 119 (e.g., a status indicator). The visible indicator 119 mayprovide different types of feedback. The feedback may include feedbackindicating actuations by a user or other user interface event, a statusof electrical loads being controlled by the remote control device 116,and/or a status of the load control devices being controlled by theremote control device 116. The feedback may be displayed in response touser interface event and/or in response to messages received thatindicate the status of load control devices and/or electrical loads. Thevisible indicator 119 may be illuminated by one or more light emittingdiodes (LEDs) for providing feedback. For example, the visible indicator119 may be a light bar included around the entire perimeter of theactuation portion 117 of the remote control device 116, or a portionthereof. The visible indicator 119 may also, or alternatively be a lightbar in a line on the remote control device 116, such as when the remotecontrol device is a paddle switch or a linear control, for example. Inaddition, the visible indicator 119 may be an illuminated portion on theactuation portion 117.

Example types of feedback may include illumination of the entire visibleindicator 119 (e.g., to different levels), blinking or pulsing one ormore LEDs in the visible indicator 119, changing the color (e.g., colortemperature) of one or more LEDs on the visible indicator 119, and/orilluminating different sections of one or more LEDs in the visibleindicator 119 to provide animation (e.g., clockwise and counterclockwise animation for raising and lowering a lighting level). Thefeedback on the visible indicator 119 may indicate a status of anelectrical load or a load control device, such as a lighting intensitylevel for lights (e.g., lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122), a volumelevel for audio devices, a shade level for a motorized window treatment,and/or a speed for fans or other similar types of devices that operateat different speeds. The feedback on the visible indicator 119 maychange based on the selection of different presets. For example, adifferent LED or LEDs may be illuminated on the visible indicator 119 toidentify different presets (e.g., preset intensity levels for thelighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 and/or other preset configurationsfor load control devices).

The visible indicator 119, or a portion thereof, may be turned on or offto indicate the status of one or more of the lighting devices 112 a, 112b, 122. For example, the visible indicator 119 may be turned off toindicate that the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 are in an offstate. The entire visible indicator, or portion thereof, may be turnedon to indicate that the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 are in the onstate. The portion of the visible indicator 119 that is turned on mayindicate the intensity level of one or more of the lighting devices 112a, 112 b, 122. For example, when the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122are at a 50% intensity level, 50% of the visible indicator 119 may beturned on to reflect the intensity level of the lighting devices 112 a,112 b, 122.

The remote control device 116 may provide simple feedback to the user onthe visible indicator 119, for example, in response to actuations orother user interface event received at the remote control device 116.For example, simple feedback may indicate to a user that the remotecontrol device 116 is operating correctly (e.g., in response to anactuation of the toggle button or a rotation). The simple feedback mayilluminate or blink one or more LEDs in response to a button press. Thesimple feedback may indicate that the remote control device 116, or abutton thereon, was actuated. The simple feedback may indicate that acommand has been selected in response to user interface event. Forexample, the simple feedback may provide a blinking sequence in responseto actuations of a toggle event. The simple feedback may provide a solidillumination of the visible indicator 119 at different lighting levelsin response to clockwise and counterclockwise rotations of the remotecontrol device 116 (e.g., as shown in FIGS. 11C-11D). As the simplefeedback may provide information that does not indicate the status of aload control device, the visible indicator 119 may operate more as avisible indicator of other types of status or may not indicate a statusof a device at all.

The remote control device 116 may provide advanced feedback to the useron the visible indicator 119 based on knowledge of the state of a loadcontrol device, such that the feedback may provide the state informationto the user. For example, rotations of the remote control device 116 cancause the visual feedback to track the light level of the lightingdevices 112 a, 112 b, 122. The light level may be stored in the remotecontrol device 116 (e.g., if there is one remote control device assignedto lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 and lighting devices 112 a, 112 b,122 may be controlled as a group from the dedicated remote controldevice 116) or may be received by remote control device 116 in responseto query messages transmitted from the remote control device 116. Foradvanced feedback in response to a user interface event, such as atoggle event, the lights on the visible indicator 119 may increase fromoff to an on light level when turning on the lighting devices 112 a, 112b, 122, and decrease from the on light level to off when turning off thelighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122. An example of a remote controldevice that provides simple and/or advanced feedback is described ingreater detail in commonly-assigned U.S. Patent Application PublicationNo. 2018/0114434, published Apr. 26, 2018, entitled CONTROLLING GROUPSOF ELECTRICAL LOADS, the entire disclosure of which is herebyincorporated by reference.

The remote control device 116 may provide different feedback on thevisible indicator 119 based on the number of load control devicesassociated with the remote control device 116. For example, the remotecontrol device 116 may provide different feedback on the visibleindicator 119 when a single lighting device 112 a is associated with theremote control device 116 than when multiple lighting devices 112 a, 112b, 122 are associated with the remote control device 116. When a singleload control device is associated with the remote control device 116,the remote control device 116 may provide advanced feedback on thevisible indicator 119. When multiple load control devices are associatedwith the remote control device 116, the remote control device 116 mayprovide simple feedback on the visible indicator 119. Simple feedbackmay be provided when the remote control device 116 is associated withmultiple load control devices, as the load control devices may bedifferent types of devices may be currently controlled differently, maybe at different levels (e.g., different intensity levels), and/or may beat levels that are unknown to the remote control device 116.

The remote control device 116 may provide different feedback on thevisible indicator based on whether the loads of the associated loadcontrol devices are in sync. When the loads are in sync (e.g., the samestatus is received for the associated load control devices), the remotecontrol device 116 may provide advanced feedback on the visibleindicator 119. For example, in response to a toggle event or a rotation(e.g., for a predefined angular distance and/or for a predefined amountof time in a direction) for controlling an intensity level of thelighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122, the remote control device 116 mayawaken from a sleep state and query the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b,122 for their current state. The remote control device 116 may receivethe current state (e.g., on/off state, lighting level, color, etc.) ofthe lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 and determine that the lightingdevices 112 a, 112 b, 122 are in the same state. The visible indicator119 on the remote control device 116 may indicate the status of thelighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 that is received in response to thequery message. While the remote control device 116 remains awake, thevisible indicator 119 may reflect the updated status of one or more ofthe lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 as the status changes. After apredefined period of time, the remote control device 116 may return tothe sleep state. The visible indicator 119 may be turned off in thesleep state to conserve battery power.

When the loads are out of sync (e.g., a different status is received forthe associated load control devices), the remote control device 116 mayprovide simple feedback or advanced feedback on the visible indicator119. For example, in response to a toggle event or a rotation (e.g., fora predefined angular distance and/or for a predefined amount of time ina direction) for controlling an intensity level of the lighting devices112 a, 112 b, 122, the remote control device 116 may awaken from a sleepstate and query the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 for their currentstate. The visible indicator 119 on the remote control device 116 mayindicate the status of one or more of the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b,122 that is received in response to the query message. When the statusof the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 are in sync, the remotecontrol device 116 may provide advanced feedback such that the visibleindicator 119 on the remote control device 116 indicate the intensitylevel at which all of the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 areoperating.

When the status of the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 are out ofsync, the remote control device 116 may provide simple feedback on thevisible indicator 119. For example, the visible indicator 119 on theremote control device 116 may reflect the current state of the lightingdevice 112 a, 112 b, 122 that is the first to respond to the querymessage, or the state of a particular lighting device 112 a, 112 b, 122in the group. For example, in response to the query message for thecurrent state of the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122, the lightingdevice 112 a may respond first that it is at a 10% intensity level. Thevisible indicator 119 on the remote control device 116 may reflect thecurrent state of the lighting device 112 a on the visible indicator 119.The group of lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 may be the lightingdevices that have been associated in memory with the remote controldevice 116, or otherwise stored in memory with a group identifier forbeing controlled together.

When the status of the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 are out ofsync, the visible indicator 119 may provide advanced feedback thatrepresents the status of the group of lighting devices 112 a, 112 b,122. For example, visible indicator 119 may indicate the averageintensity of the group of lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 or thestate of the majority of the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122. Thevisible indicator 119 may provide advanced feedback to indicate thestate of the group of lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 by lighting theentire visible indicator 119 when a majority of the lighting devices 112a, 112 b, 122 are in the on state, turning the visible indicator 119 offwhen the majority of the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 are in theoff state, lighting a portion of the visible indicator 119 thatidentifies an average lighting level of the group of lighting devices112 a, 112 b, 122, increasing an intensity of the visible indicator 119to a percentage that reflects the intensity of the lighting devices 112a, 112 b, 122, etc.

When the status of the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 are out ofsync, the visible indicator 119 may provide simple or advanced feedbackthat indicates that the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 are out ofsync. For example, the remote control device 116 may provide simplefeedback by making the entire visible indicator 119 lit, unlit, or flashto indicate that the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 are out of sync.The remote control device 116 may provide advanced feedback by blinkingor pulsing the visible indicator 119 while displaying the averageintensity level of the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122, byperiodically transitioning the visible indicator 119 between theintensity levels of the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122, or byperiodically transitioning the visible indicator 119 between maximum andminimum intensity levels of the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122. Whenthe group of lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 are out of sync, nofeedback may be provided, a constant feedback indication may beprovided, or feedback may be provided (e.g., flashing LEDs) thatindicates that the group of lighting devices are out of sync.

The remote control device 116 may be configured to display feedback(e.g., simple feedback) in response to determining that one or more ofthe lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 are “missing.” For example, theremote control device may be configured to blink the entire visibleindicator 119 (e.g., in a particular color, such as red) and/or providean animation to indicate that one or more of the lighting devices 112 a,112 b, 122 are missing. The remote control device 116 may be configuredto determine that one of the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 ismissing, for example, in response to not receiving a response to a querymessage transmitted to that particular lighting device. For example, oneof the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 may be “missing” if thatlighting device has been removed from its fixture or lamp (e.g.,unscrewed), is unplugged, is faulty, the corresponding light switch isturned off (e.g., light switch in a series is turned off, while othersare on), and/or has reached end of life.

The remote control device 116 may provide advanced feedback if the loadcontrol devices (e.g., lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122) with whichthe remote control device 116 is associated are not associated withother remote control devices. The remote control device 116 may providesimple feedback if one or more of the load control devices (e.g.,lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122) with which the remote control device116 is associated are also associated with other remote control devices.This may allow for more granular feedback of a group of individual loadcontrol devices with which the remote control device 116 is associated,while preventing continuous updating or confusion when other remotecontrol devices are controlling the multiple load control devices (e.g.,lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122).

The remote control device 116 may transmit digital messages via the RFsignals 106 to control the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122. Theremote control device 116 may be configured to adjust the intensities ofthe lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 using absolute control in orderto control the intensities of the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 toan absolute level (e.g., a specific level). For example, the remotecontrol device 116 may transmit digital messages including amove-to-level command (e.g., a go-to-level or go-to command) thatidentifies a lighting level to which the lighting devices may change.The move-to-level command may include the amount of time over which thelighting level may be changed at the lighting devices. The move-to-levelcommand may indicate an “on” event or an “off” event to turn thelighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 on or off, respectively. For example,the “on” event may be indicated with a 100% lighting level, or anotherpreset lighting level. The “off” event may be indicated with a 0%intensity level. The lighting level for the “on” event and/or the “off”event may also, or alternatively, be stored at the lighting devices 112a, 112 b, 122 and the lighting devices may change to the lighting levelupon receiving an indication of the occurrence of the “on” event or“off” event at the remote control device 116. The digital messages mayindicate an “on” event when the remote control device 116 is rotated afor predefined angular distance and/or for a predefined amount of timein one direction. As an example, the remote control device 116 maytransmit digital messages when the remote control device 116 is rotatedfor 100 milliseconds (ms). The digital messages may indicate an “off”event when the remote control device 116 is rotated for a predefinedangular distance and/or for a predefined amount of time in the oppositedirection. The digital messages may indicate an “on” event or an “off”event when the remote control device 116 is pressed (e.g., when a buttonon the face of the remote control device is pressed or the remotecontrol device 116 is pressed in). The “on” event or “off” event may beindicated in a digital message with a toggle command that indicates forthe lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 to toggle from “on” to “off,” orvice versa.

In response to a user interface event (e.g., actuation, rotation, fingerswipe, etc.) or a proximity sensing event (e.g., a sensing circuitsensing an occupant near the remote control device 116) at the remotecontrol device 116, the remote control device 116 may determine astarting point (e.g., a dynamic starting point) from which the lightinglevel of one or more of the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 may becontrolled. Each rotation of the rotation portion 118 may cause theremote control device 116 to determine the dynamic starting point fromwhich control may be performed. In response to the user interface eventand/or a proximity sensing event (e.g., a sensing circuit sensing anoccupant near the remote control device 116), the remote control device116 may query the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 for a currentstatus (e.g., after awakening from sleep mode). The current status ofone or more of the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 may be used to setthe dynamic starting point from which the remote control device 116 mayperform control. For example, the remote control device 116 may set thedynamic starting point of the rotation portion 118 to the currentintensity level (e.g., on, off, 10%, 20%, etc.) of the first of thelighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 to respond to the query, or apredefined lighting device 112 a, 112 b, 122.

In another example, the remote control device 116 may set the dynamicstarting point of the rotation portion 118 based on the intensity levelof multiple lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122. The remote controldevice 116 may set the dynamic starting point of the rotation portion118 to an average intensity level (e.g., on, off, 10%, 20%, etc.) of thelighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122, or a common lighting intensity(e.g., on, off, 10%, 20%, etc.) of a majority of the lighting devices112 a, 112 b, 122, for example. The remote control device 116 may setthe dynamic starting point of the rotation portion 118 to a maximumlevel of the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 when the rotationportion 118 is being rotated clockwise to raise the intensity level ofthe lighting devices, or a minimum level of the lighting devices 112 a,112 b, 122 when the rotation portion 118 is being rotatedcounterclockwise to lower the intensity level of the lighting devices,for example. The visible indicator 119 may be illuminated as feedback toreflect the dynamic starting point to the user. For example, the remotecontrol device 116 may illuminate a portion of the visible indicator 119that reflects the lighting intensity that is set as the dynamic startingpoint.

The remote control device 116 may calculate an increase or decrease inintensity level from the dynamic starting point based on the userinterface event. For example, the remote control device 116 maycalculate an increase or decrease in intensity level based on thedistance or amount of time the rotation portion 118 is turned. Therotation from the point of the initial interaction by the user with therotation portion 118 may be used to identify the increase or decrease inintensity level from the dynamic starting point. When the remote controldevice 116 includes a linear control, the remote control device 116 maycalculate an increase or decrease in intensity level based on thedistance or amount of time the user swipes a finger up or down on thelinear control. The user's finger swipe from the point of the initialinteraction by the user with the linear control may be used to identifythe increase or decrease in intensity level from the dynamic startingpoint.

The updated intensity level may be calculated from the user's initialinteraction and stored at the remote control device 116. The updatedintensity level may be included in a move-to-level command that istransmitted from the remote control device 116 to the lighting devices112 a, 112 b, 122, for example, when the remote control device 116 isusing absolute control.

The visual feedback displayed by the visible indicator 119 may beprovided in or derived from the information in the move-to-level commandwhen the remote control device 116 is using absolute control. Forexample, the remote control device 116 may reflect the intensity leveltransmitted in the move-to-level command in the visible indicator 119.

The remote control device 116 may transmit digital messages configuredto increase the lighting level of the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122when the rotation portion 118 is rotated in a direction (e.g.,clockwise). As previously mentioned, the remote control device 116 maybe configured to adjust the intensities of the lighting devices 112 a,112 b, 122 to an absolute level using absolute control. In addition, oralternatively, the remote control device 116 may be configured to adjustthe intensities of the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 using relativecontrol to adjust the intensities of the light devices 112 a, 112 b, 122by a relative amount. For example, the remote control device 116 maytransmit digital messages configured to decrease the lighting level ofthe lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 when the remote control device116 is rotated in the opposite direction (e.g., counterclockwise). Thedigital messages may include a move-with-rate command, which may causethe lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 to change their respectiveintensity level by a predefined amount. The move-with-rate command mayinclude the amount of time over which the lighting level may be changedat the lighting devices. The move-with-rate command may cause thelighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 to retain their relative orproportional intensity levels, and/or difference in respective intensitylevels. The remote control device 116 may send digital messages toincrease or decrease the lighting level by a predefined amount whenrotated for a predefined angular distance and/or for a predefined amountof time. The amount of the increase or decrease may be indicated in thedigital messages or may be predefined at the lighting devices 112 a, 112b, 122.

The visible indicator 119 may be controlled differently when the remotecontrol device 116 is operating using relative control and when theremote control device 116 is operating using absolute control. Theremote control device 116 may provide advanced feedback on the visibleindicator 119 when performing absolute control, as each of the loadcontrol devices (e.g., lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122) may be insync. The remote control device 116 may provide a simple feedback whenperforming relative control, as each of the load control devices (e.g.,lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122) may be out of sync. When usingrelative control, the visible indicator 119 may not be illuminated toprovide feedback of the intensity of the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b,122. The visible indicator 119 may be illuminated to differentintensities when the remote control device 116 is raising and loweringthe intensity level of the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122. Forexample, the visible indicator 119 may be illuminated to a firstintensity (e.g., 66%) when raising the intensity level of the lightingdevices 112 a, 112 b, 122 and a second intensity (e.g., 33%) whenlowering the intensity level of the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122.Alternatively, or additionally, the visible indicator 119 may beilluminated to match the maximum intensity or the minimum intensity ofthe group of lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122.

The mode of control (e.g., relative control or absolute control) may bedynamically updated at the remote control device 116. For example, theremote control device 116 may change the mode of control depending uponthe number of the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b 122 that are associatedwith the remote control device 116. The remote control device 116 mayuse the absolute control when associated with a single lighting device.The remote control device 116 may use the relative control whenassociated with multiple lighting devices. The mode of control may also,or alternatively, be updated based on whether the lighting devices 112a, 112 b 122 are in sync or out of sync. The remote control device 116may use the absolute control when the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b 122are in sync. The remote control device 116 use the relative control whenthe lighting devices 112 a, 112 b 122 are out of sync.

The visual feedback provided by the visible indicator 119 may bedynamically updated depending on the mode of control being used at theremote control device 116. The remote control device 116 may providefeedback according to the simple feedback mode when using relativecontrol and according to the advanced feedback mode when using absolutecontrol. For example, the advanced feedback mode may provide feedbackthat indicates an intensity level of one or more lighting devices as aportion of the entire visible indicator 119. The simple feedback modemay provide simple feedback that illuminates the entire visibleindicator 119 to different levels when raising or lowering intensity.

The digital messages transmitted via the RF signals 106 may be multicastmessages. For example, the digital messages including the move-to-levelcommand may be transmitted as multicast messages. The multicast messagesmay include a group identifier for controlling the lighting devices 112a, 112 b, 122 that are a part of a multicast group. The lighting devices112 a, 112 b, 122 may be a part of the multicast group when they areassociated with the group identifier (e.g., by having the groupidentifier stored thereon) for recognizing multicast messagestransmitted to the group. The lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 thatare associated with the group identifier may recognize the multicastmessages and control the corresponding lighting loads according to thecommand in the multicast messages. The lighting devices 112 a, 112 b,122 may forward the multicast messages with the group identifier foridentification and load control by other lighting devices associatedwith the group identifier.

The group may be formed at commissioning or configuration of the loadcontrol system 100. The remote control device 116 may generate the groupidentifier and send the group identifier to the lighting devices 112 a,112 b, 122 and/or a hub device when the remote control device 116 is inan association mode (e.g., entered upon selection of one or morebuttons). The devices that store the group identifier may be part of thegroup of devices that are associated with the remote control device 116and can respond to group messages.

The remote control device 116 may transmit the digital messages asmulticast messages and/or unicast messages via the RF signal 106. Forexample, the digital messages including the move-with-rate command orthe move-to-level command may be transmitted as unicast messages.Unicast messages may be sent from the remote control device 116 directlyor via hops to each of the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122. Theremote control device 116 may individually send a unicast message toeach of the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 with which the remotecontrol device 116 is associated for performing load control. The remotecontrol device 116 may have the unique identifier of each of thelighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 with which it is associated stored inmemory. The remote control device 116 may generate a separate unicastmessage for each lighting device 112 a, 112 b, 122 and address theunicast messages to the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122independently. The unicast messages may also include the uniqueidentifier of the remote control device 116. The lighting devices 112 a,112 b, 122 may identify the unicast messages communicated to them byidentifying their own unique identifier and/or a correspondingidentifier of the remote that are stored in an association dataset. Thelighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 may operate according to theinstructions (e.g., load control instructions) in the digital messagescomprising their own unique identifier and/or the unique identifier ofan associated device, such as the remote control device 116.

The remote control device 116 may transmit digital messages that includemove-with-rate commands (e.g., as unicast messages and/or multicastmessages) to increase or decrease the lighting intensity level of thelighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 in predefined increments as the userturns the remote control device 116 for a predefined angular distanceand/or for a predefined amount of time in one direction or another. Theremote control device 116 may continue to transmit digital messages tothe lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 as the user continues to turn theremote control device 116. For example, the remote control device 116may identify a rotation of a predefined distance or for a predefinedtime and send one or more digital messages to instruct the lightingdevices 112 a, 112 b, 122 to each increase by ten percent (10%). Theremote control device 116 may identify a continued rotation of for apredefined angular distance and/or for a predefined amount of time andsend digital messages to instruct the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122to increase by ten percent (10%) again.

The remote control device 116 may also, or alternatively, send digitalmessages for a move-to-level command (e.g., “on” command, “off” command,toggle command, etc.) to turn on/off the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b,122. The remote control device 116 may transmit one or more digitalmessages to the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 when an on event oran off event are detected. For example, the remote control device 116may identify a rotation or actuation and send digital messages toinstruct the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 to turn on/off. Theremote control device 116 may operate by sending a move-with-ratecommand after turning on. For example, the remote control device 116 mayidentify a rotation for a predefined angular distance and/or for apredefined amount of time after turning on and send digital messages toinstruct the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 to increase/decrease bya predefined intensity (e.g., ten percent (10%)).

Embodiments described herein are not limited to remote control devices.Other controller devices may also be used in the same, or similar,manner. For example, embodiments may include wired control devicesand/or plug-in control devices that communicate digital messages asdescribed herein.

FIG. 1B shows an example load control system 100 having other devices.For example, the load control system 100 may include other controldevices, such as controller devices and/or load control devices. Theload control devices may be capable of controlling the amount of powerprovided to a respective electrical load based on digital messagesreceived from the controller devices, which may be input devices. Thedigital messages may include load control instructions or anotherindication that causes the load control device to determine load controlinstructions for controlling an electrical load.

Examples of load control devices may include a motorized windowtreatment 130 and/or the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122, thoughother load control devices may be implemented. The controller devicesmay include a remote control device 150, an occupancy sensor 160, adaylight sensor 170, and/or a network device 190, though othercontroller devices may be implemented. The controller devices mayperform communications in a configuration similar to the remote controldevice 116 as described herein. The load control devices may performcommunications in a configuration similar to the lighting devices 112 a,112 b, 122 as described herein.

The load control devices may receive digital messages via wirelesssignals, e.g., radio-frequency (RF) signals 106 (e.g., ZIGBEE®; NFC;BLUETOOTH®; WI-FI®; Thread; or a proprietary communication channel, suchas CLEAR CONNECT™, etc.). The wireless signals may be transmitted by thecontroller devices. In response to the received digital messages, therespective lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 may be turned on and off,and/or the intensities of the respective lighting devices 112 a, 112 b,122 may be increased or decreased. In response to the received digitalmessages, the motorized window treatment 130 may increase or decrease alevel of a covering material 134.

The battery-powered remote control device 150 may include one or moreactuators 152 (e.g., one or more of an on button, an off button, a raisebutton, a lower button, or a preset button). The battery-powered remotecontrol device 150 may transmit RF signals 106 in response to actuationsof one or more of the actuators 152. The battery-powered remote controldevice 150 may be handheld. The battery-powered remote control device150 may be mounted vertically to a wall, or supported on a pedestal tobe mounted on a tabletop. Examples of battery-powered remote controldevices are described in greater detail in commonly-assigned U.S. Pat.No. 8,330,638, issued Dec. 11, 2012, entitled WIRELESS BATTERY-POWEREDREMOTE CONTROL HAVING MULTIPLE MOUNTING MEANS, and U.S. PatentApplication Publication No. 2012/0286940, published Nov. 15, 2012,entitled CONTROL DEVICE HAVING A NIGHTLIGHT, the entire disclosures ofwhich are hereby incorporated by reference.

The remote control device 150 may be a wireless device capable ofcontrolling a load control device via wireless communications. Theremote control device 150 may be attached to the wall or detached fromthe wall. Examples of remote control devices are described in greaterdetail in U.S. Pat. No. 5,248,919, issued Sep. 28, 1993, entitledLIGHTING CONTROL DEVICE; U.S. Pat. No. 8,471,779, issued Jun. 25, 2013,entitled WIRELESS BATTERY-POWERED REMOTE CONTROL WITH LABEL SERVING ASANTENNA ELEMENT; and U.S. Pat. No. 9,679,696, issued Jun. 13, 2017,entitled WIRELESS LOAD CONTROL DEVICE, the entire disclosures of whichare hereby incorporated by reference.

The occupancy sensor 160 may be configured to detect occupancy and/orvacancy conditions in the space in which the load control system 100 isinstalled. The occupancy sensor 160 may transmit digital messages toload control devices via the RF communication signals 106 in response todetecting the occupancy or vacancy conditions. The occupancy sensor 160may operate as a vacancy sensor, such that digital messages aretransmitted in response to detecting a vacancy condition (e.g., digitalmessages may not be transmitted in response to detecting an occupancycondition). The occupancy sensor 160 may enter an association mode andmay transmit association messages via the RF communication signals 106in response to actuation of a button on the occupancy sensor 160.Examples of RF load control systems having occupancy and vacancy sensorsare described in greater detail in commonly-assigned U.S. Pat. No.8,009,042, issued Aug. 30, 2011, entitled RADIO-FREQUENCY LIGHTINGCONTROL SYSTEM WITH OCCUPANCY SENSING; U.S. Pat. No. 8,199,010, issuedJun. 12, 2012, entitled METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONFIGURING A WIRELESSSENSOR; and U.S. Pat. No. 8,228,184, issued Jul. 24, 2012, entitledBATTERY-POWERED OCCUPANCY SENSOR, the entire disclosures of which arehereby incorporated by reference.

The daylight sensor 170 may be configured to measure a total lightintensity in the space in which the load control system 100 isinstalled. The daylight sensor 170 may transmit digital messagesincluding the measured light intensity via the RF communication signals106 for controlling load control devices in response to the measuredlight intensity. The daylight sensor 170 may enter an association modeand may transmit association messages via the RF communication signals106 in response to actuation of a button on the daylight sensor 170.Examples of RF load control systems having daylight sensors aredescribed in greater detail in commonly-assigned U.S. Pat. No.8,410,706, issued Apr. 2, 2013, entitled METHOD OF CALIBRATING ADAYLIGHT SENSOR; and U.S. Pat. No. 8,451,116, issued May 28, 2013,entitled WIRELESS BATTERY-POWERED DAYLIGHT SENSOR, the entiredisclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

The motorized window treatment 130 may be mounted in front of a windowfor controlling the amount of daylight entering the space in which theload control system 100 is installed. The motorized window treatment 130may include, for example, a cellular shade, a roller shade, a drapery, aRoman shade, a Venetian blind, a Persian blind, a pleated blind, atensioned roller shade systems, or other suitable motorized windowcovering. The motorized window treatment 130 may include a motor driveunit 132 for adjusting the position of a covering material 134 of themotorized window treatment 130 in order to control the amount ofdaylight entering the space. The motor drive unit 132 of the motorizedwindow treatment 130 may have an RF receiver and an antenna mounted onor extending from a motor drive unit 132 of the motorized windowtreatment 130. The motor drive unit 132 may respond to digital messagesto increase or decrease the level of the covering material 134. Themotor drive unit 132 of the motorized window treatment 130 may bebattery-powered or may receive power from an external direct-current(DC) power supply. Examples of battery-powered motorized windowtreatments are described in greater detail in commonly-assigned U.S.Pat. No. 8,950,461, issued Feb. 10, 2015, entitled MOTORIZED WINDOWTREATMENT, and U.S. Pat. No. 9,115,537, issued Aug. 25, 2015, entitledBATTERY-POWERED ROLLER SHADE SYSTEM, the entire disclosures of which arehereby incorporated by reference

Digital messages transmitted by the controller devices may include acommand and/or identifying information, such as a serial number (e.g., aunique identifier) associated with the transmitting controller device.Each of the controller devices may be associated with the lightingdevices 112 a, 112 b, 122 and/or the motorized window treatment 130during a configuration procedure of the load control system 100, suchthat the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 and/or the motorized windowtreatment 130 may be responsive to digital messages transmitted by thecontroller devices via the RF signals 106. Examples of associatingwireless control devices during a configuration procedure are describedin greater detail in commonly-assigned U.S. Patent ApplicationPublication No. 2008/0111491, published May 15, 2008, entitledRADIO-FREQUENCY LIGHTING CONTROL SYSTEM, and U.S. Pat. No. 9,368,025,issued Jun. 14, 2016, entitled TWO-PART LOAD CONTROL SYSTEM MOUNTABLE TOA SINGLE ELECTRICAL WALLBOX, the entire disclosures of which are herebyincorporated by reference.

The load control system 100 may include a hub device 180 (e.g., a systembridge and/or a system controller) configured to enable communicationwith a network 182, e.g., a wireless or wired local area network (LAN).The hub device 180 may be connected to a router via a wired digitalcommunication link 184 (e.g., an Ethernet communication link). Therouter may allow for communication with the network 182, e.g., foraccess to the Internet. The hub device 180 may be wirelessly connectedto the network 182, e.g., using wireless technology, such as WI-FI®technology, cellular technology, etc. The hub device 180 may beconfigured to transmit communication signals (e.g., RF signals 106) tothe lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 and/or the motorized windowtreatment 130 for controlling the devices in response to digitalmessages received from external devices via the network 182. The hubdevice 180 may communicate via one or more types of RF communicationsignals. The hub device 180 may be configured to transmit and/or receiveRF signals 106 (e.g., using ZIGBEE®; NFC; BLUETOOTH®; or a proprietarycommunication channel, such as CLEAR CONNECT™, etc.). The hub device 180may be configured to transmit digital messages via the network 182 forproviding data (e.g., status information) to external devices.

The RF signals 106 may be transmitted via one or more protocols. Forexample, the remote control device 116 and the remote control device 150may communicate digital messages to lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122via another protocol (e.g., ZIGBEE®, BLUETOOTH®, etc.) than otherdevices. For example, the occupancy sensor 160, daylight sensor 170,and/or motorized window treatment 130 may communicate via a proprietarycommunication channel, such as CLEAR CONNECT™. The hub device 180 mayformat digital communications using the appropriate protocol for thedevice. The hub device 180 may communicate using multiple protocols.

The hub device 180 may operate as a central controller for the loadcontrol system 100, and/or relay digital messages between the controldevices (e.g., lighting devices, motorized window treatments, etc.) ofthe load control system and the network 182. The hub device 180 mayreceive digital messages from a controller device and configure thedigital message for communication to a load control device. For example,the hub device 180 may configure multicast messages and/or unicastmessages for transmission as described herein. The hub device 180 may beon-site at the load control system 100 or at a remote location. Thoughthe hub device 180 is shown as a single device, the load control system100 may include multiple hubs and/or the functionality thereof may bedistributed across multiple devices.

The load control system 100 may include a network device 190, such as, asmart phone (for example, an iPhone® smart phone, an Android® smartphone, or a Blackberry® smart phone), a personal computer, a laptop, awireless-capable media device (e.g., MP3 player, gaming device, ortelevision), a tablet device, (for example, an iPad® hand-held computingdevice), a WI-FI® or wireless-communication-capable television, or anyother suitable network communication or Internet-Protocol-enableddevice. The network device 190 may be operable to transmit digitalmessages in one or more Internet Protocol packets to the hub device 180via RF signals 108, either directly or via the network 182. For example,the network device 190 may transmit the RF signals 108 to the hub device180 via a WI-FI® communication link, a WIMAX® communications link, aBLUETOOTH® communications link, a near field communication (NFC) link, acellular communications link, a television white space (TVWS)communication link, or any combination thereof. The RF signals 108 maybe communicated using a different protocol and/or wireless band than theRF signals 106. For example, the RF signals 108 may be configured forWI-FI® communication or cellular communication, while RF signals 106 maybe configured for ZIGBEE®, BLUETOOTH®, Thread, or a proprietarycommunication channel, such as CLEAR CONNECT™. In another example, theRF signals 108 and the RF signals 106 may be the same. Examples of loadcontrol systems operable to communicate with network devices on anetwork are described in greater detail in commonly-assigned U.S. Pat.No. 10,271,407, issued Apr. 23, 2019, entitled LOAD CONTROL DEVICEHAVING INTERNET CONNECTIVITY, the entire disclosure of which is herebyincorporated by reference.

The network device 190 may include a visual display 192. The visualdisplay 192 may include a touch screen that may include, for example, acapacitive touch pad displaced overtop the visual display, such that thevisual display may display soft buttons that may be actuated by a user.The network device 190 may include a plurality of hard buttons, e.g.,physical buttons (not shown), in addition to the visual display 192. Thenetwork device 190 may download a product control application forallowing a user of the network device 190 to control the load controlsystem 100. In response to actuations of the displayed soft buttonsand/or hard buttons, the network device 190 may transmit digitalmessages to the load control devices and/or the hub device 180 throughthe wireless communications described herein.

The operation of the load control system 100 may be programmed andconfigured using the hub device 180 and/or network device 190. Anexample of a configuration procedure for a wireless load control systemis described in greater detail in commonly-assigned U.S. Pat. No.10,027,127, issued Jul. 17, 2018, entitled COMMISSIONING LOAD CONTROLSYSTEMS, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated byreference.

The remote control device 116 may receive an indication when the hubdevice 180 and/or other control devices are implemented in the loadcontrol system 100. The remote control device 116 may be associated withother controller devices (e.g., remote control device 150, occupancysensor 160, daylight sensor 170, network device 190, etc.), or may beotherwise notified when the controller devices are associated withanother device (e.g., a lighting device 112 a, 112 b, 122 or the hubdevice 180) in the load control system 100. The remote control device116 may be associated with the hub device 180, or may be otherwisenotified (e.g., via a message from the hub device 180, a notification ofassociation from a lighting device 112 a, 112 b, 122 that associatedwith the hub device 180, etc.) when the hub device 180 is implementedinto the system 100.

The remote control device 116 may operate to provide different types offeedback (e.g., advanced feedback or simple feedback) based oninformation about the associated devices. For example, the remotecontrol device 116 may provide different feedback on the visibleindicator 119 when associated with a master device, such as the hubdevice 180 or other master device, than when not associated with themaster device. The remote control device 116 may provide advancedfeedback on the visible indicator 119 when associated with the hubdevice 180 that is capable of providing the status of load controldevices to the remote control device 116. The remote control device 116may provide simple feedback on the visible indicator 119 when notassociated with the hub device 180.

The remote control device 116 may provide feedback via the visibleindicator 119 in different feedback modes based on whether the remotecontrol device 116 is associated with the hub device 180 or anothermaster device, such as one of the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122,for example. The remote control device 116 may provide advanced feedbackwhen associated with a master device and provide simple feedback whennot associated with a master device. When the remote control device 116is associated with a master lighting device, the remote control device116 may provide advanced feedback on the visible indicator 119 anddisplay the state of the master lighting device as feedback on thevisible indicator 119. As the master device may synchronize the state ofthe lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122, the remote control device 116may provide advanced feedback that indicates an intensity level of thesynchronized group of lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122. In addition,the master device may collect and store the intensity levels of thegroup of lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122, and may decide the level todisplay for advanced feedback if the lighting devices are out of sync.When the remote control device 116 is not associated with a masterdevice, the remote control device 116 may provide simple feedback thatilluminates the entire visible indicator 119 to different levels whenraising or lowering intensity of lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122, orwhen the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 are on or off.

Though the remote control device 116 may be operating in the loadcontrol system 100 with other controller devices, the other controllerdevices may not be associated with the group of lighting devices 112 a,112 b, 122 that are associated with the remote control device 116. Asthe other controller devices may not be associated with the group oflighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122, the other controller devices may beunable to toggle the on/off state of the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b,122. The remote control device 116 may determine whether othercontroller devices are associated with the lighting devices 112 a, 112b, 122 by querying the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 for associateddevices. Each lighting device 112 a, 112 b, 122 may respond with theunique identifiers of devices associated with the device. The uniqueidentifiers may indicate devices or device types (e.g., remote controldevices, occupancy sensors, daylight sensors, network devices, hubdevices, etc.) associated with the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122.

FIG. 2 depicts an example control device 200 that may be deployed as theremote control device 116 in the load control system 100. The lightingcontrol system 100 may include one or more electrical loads, such as thelighting loads 102, 104. The control device 200 may comprise a userinterface 210 (e.g., a user input device) and a faceplate 212. The userinterface 202 may include a rotation portion 214 that is rotatable withrespect to the faceplate 212 for controlling one or more characteristicsof the lighting loads controlled by the control device (e.g., adjustingthe intensities and/or the colors of the lighting loads). The userinterface 210 may also include an actuation portion 216 having a frontsurface 218 that may be pressed in towards the faceplate 212 for turningthe lighting loads on and off (e.g., toggling the lighting loads). Thecontrol device 200 may comprise a base portion 220 for rotatablysupporting the rotation portion 214. The actuation portion 216 may bereceived in a central opening (e.g., a circular opening) defined by therotation portion 214. When the actuation portion 216 is actuated, theactuation portion 216 may move through the central opening of therotation portion 214 (e.g., move towards the faceplate 212 along an axisperpendicular to the faceplate) to actuate an internal switch (notshown). The actuation portion 216 may return (e.g., move away from thefaceplate 212 along the axis perpendicular to the faceplate) to an idleposition (e.g., as shown in FIG. 2) after being actuated.

The control device 200 may be configured to transmit one or morewireless communication signals (e.g., the RF signals 106 of FIGS. 1A and1B) to a lighting device (e.g., the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122of the load control system 100). The control device 200 may include awireless communication circuit (e.g., an RF transceiver or transmitter(not shown)) via which one or more wireless communication signals may besent and/or received. The control device 200 may be configured totransmit digital messages (e.g., including commands to control alighting device) via the wireless communication signals.

For example, when the actuation portion 216 is actuated (e.g., pressedin towards the faceplate 212), the control device 200 may be configuredto transmit one or more wireless communication signals including controldata for turning the lighting device on and off (e.g., toggling thelighting device). The control device 200 may be configured to transmit acommand to toggle the lighting device (e.g., from off to on or viceversa) in response to an actuation of the actuation portion 216. Inaddition, the control device 200 may be configured to transmit a commandto turn the lighting device on in response to an actuation of theactuation portion 216 (e.g., if the control device 200 possessesinformation indicating that the lighting device is presently off). Thecontrol device 200 may be configured to transmit a command to turn thelighting device off in response to an actuation of the actuation portion216 (e.g., if the control unit possesses information indicating that thelighting device is presently on). The control device 200 may beconfigured to transmit a command to turn the lighting device on to amaximum power level (e.g., to turn the lighting device on to fullintensity) in response to a double tap of the actuation portion 216(e.g., two actuations in quick succession).

When the rotation portion 214 is rotated while the actuation portion 216is in the idle position (e.g., the front surface 218 of the actuationportion 216 is in a first plane), the control device 200 may beconfigured to transmit one or more wireless communication signalsincluding control data to raise the intensity of the lighting device inresponse to a clockwise rotation of the rotation portion 214 and totransmit a command to lower the intensity of the lighting device inresponse to a counterclockwise rotation of the rotation portion 214. Inaddition, when the rotation portion 214 is rotated while the actuationportion 216 is being pressed in towards the faceplate 212 (e.g., thefront surface 218 of the actuation portion 216 is in a second plane),the control device 200 may be configured to transmit one or morewireless communication signals including control data to adjust a color(e.g., a color temperature) of the lighting device in response toclockwise and counterclockwise rotations of the rotation portion 214.

When the lighting device is on, the control device 200 may be configuredto decrease the power level of the lighting device to a low-endintensity (e.g., a minimum intensity) in response to a counter-clockwiserotation of the rotation portion 214 and may only turn off the lightingdevice in response to an actuation of the actuation portion 216. Thecontrol device 200 may also be configured in a spin-to-off mode, inwhich the control device 200 may turn off the lighting device after thepower level of the lighting device (e.g., intensity of the lightingdevice) is controlled to a minimum level in response to acounter-clockwise rotation of the rotation portion 214 (e.g., without anactuation of the actuation portion). When the lighting device is off andthe rotation portion 214 is rotated clockwise, the control device 200may be configured to adjust the intensity of the lighting device to alevel determined from how much the rotation portion 214 is rotated(e.g., the angular distance that the rotation portion is rotated). Whenthe lighting device is off and the rotation portion 214 is rotatedcounter-clockwise, the control device 200 may be configured to adjustthe intensity of the lighting device to the low-end intensity (e.g.,independent of how much the rotation portion 214 is rotated).

The front surface 218 of the actuation portion 216 may be configured tobe illuminated to provide feedback to a user of the control device 200.For example, the front surface 218 of the actuation portion 216 may beilluminated by one or more light sources, such as light-emitting diodes(LEDs) located inside of the control device 200. When each of theactuation portion 216 and/or the rotation portion 214 are in idlepositions, the front surface 218 of the actuation portion 216 may not beilluminated. The front surface 218 of the actuation portion 216 may beilluminated to provide simple feedback, for example, when the actuationportion 216 has been actuated and/or the rotation portion 214 has beingrotated. The front surface 218 of the actuation portion 216 may beilluminated to provide simple feedback to indicate that the controldevice 200 has detected a rotation of the rotation portion 214 and/or anactuation of the actuation portion 216 and is responding to theactuation, for example, by transmitting wireless signals to a lightingdevice. An example of a control device that may provide simple andadvanced feedback is described in greater detail in commonly-assignedU.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018/0116040, published Apr. 26,2018, entitled CONTROLLING GROUPS OF ELECTRICAL LOADS, the entiredisclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

In certain load control systems, a respective control device may bepositioned such that the lighting devices paired with the remote controldevice are not visible to a user interfacing with the control device. Asa result, the user may be unable to perceive or appreciate the changescaused by the user interface events at the control device, which maycause the user to inefficiently interact with the control device. Forexample, the user may rotate the rotation portion in a clockwisedirection (e.g., to raise the intensity of the lighting device) evenwhen the lighting devices are at a maximum intensity (e.g., 100%intensity). Similarly, the user may rotate the rotation portion in acounter-clockwise direction (e.g., to lower the intensity of thelighting device) even when the lighting devices are at a minimumintensity (e.g., 0% intensity). In order to provide the user with anindication of the present and/or future intensity of the lightingdevice, the control device may be configured to provide feedback (e.g.,simple feedback and/or advanced feedback) to the user in response to auser interface event.

FIGS. 3A-3D illustrate the control device 200 providing different formsof feedback (e.g., simple feedback). As shown in FIGS. 3A-3C, thecontrol device 200 may be configured to provide a visible indicator byenergizing a light source (e.g., an LED) inside of the control device200 to light up an illuminated portion (e.g., respective illuminatedportions 230 a-230 c shown in FIGS. 3A-3C) of the front surface 218 ofthe actuation portion 216. With respect to FIGS. 3A-3D, the visualindicator may be used to provide feedback of the present and/or futureintensity of the lighting devices paired with the control device 200.For example, the illuminated portion 230 a of the front surface 218shown in FIG. 3A may be located near the top of the actuation portion216. The illuminated portion 230 a of the front surface 218 may beilluminated with a diffuse (e.g., fuzzy) circle of light as shown inFIG. 3A. For example, the illuminated portion 230 a may be illuminatedwith a diffuse circle of light in response to an actuation of theactuation portion 216. In addition, the illuminated portion 230 b of thefront surface 218 shown in FIG. 3B may be located near the bottom of theactuation portion 216. The illuminated portion 230 b of the frontsurface 218 may be illuminated with a sharp circle of light as shown inFIG. 3B. Further, the illuminated portion 230 c of the front surface 218shown in FIG. 3C may be located near the center of the actuation portion216 and may be a ring of light (e.g., not a filled-in circle).

The illuminated portion 230 a-230 c of the front surface 218 may beilluminated for a period of time (e.g., a fixed period of time) after anactuation of the rotation portion 214 and/or the actuation portion 216is first detected and then not illuminated after the period of timeexpires. For example, the illuminated portion 230 a-230 c of the frontsurface 218 may be illuminated continuously (e.g., at a singleintensity) during the period of time. FIG. 3E shows an example plot ofthe intensity of the illuminated portion 230 a-230 c with respect totime after an actuation of the rotation portion 214 and/or the actuationportion 216. For example, the illuminated portion 230 a-230 c may bequickly faded onto a predetermined intensity L₀ at a first rate,maintained at the predetermined intensity L₀, and then faded off to zeroat a second rate that is slower than the first rate. A period of time T₁over which the fade up occurs may be shorter than a period of time T₃over which the fade down occurs. The intensity of the illuminatedportion 230 a-230 c may be maintained at the predetermined intensity L₀for a period of time T₁, which may be, for example, a fixed period oftime. In addition, the illuminated portion 230 a-230 c of the frontsurface 218 may remain illuminated (e.g., be illuminated continuously)while the rotation portion 214 and/or the actuation portion 216 arebeing actuated and then not illuminated after the actuation has ended.For example, the fade up may be displayed upon the beginning of theactuation of the rotation portion 214 and/or the actuation portion 216,and/or the fade down may be displayed upon release of the rotationportion and/or actuation portion. The period of time T₁ over which thefade up occurs and the period of time T₃ over which the fade down occursmay be fixed periods of time, while the period of time T₁ (e.g., duringwhich the intensity of the illuminated portion 230 a-230 c may bemaintained at the predetermined intensity L₀) may be variable dependentupon how long the actuation of the rotation portion 214 and/or theactuation portion 216 occurs.

The illuminated portion 230 a-230 c of the front surface 218 may beilluminated with an animation (e.g., a predetermined illuminationpattern over a period of time). For example, the animation may be a“heartbeat” animation. FIG. 3F shows an example plot of the intensity ofthe illuminated portion 230 a-230 c with respect to time in order togenerate the animation. For example, the intensity of the illuminatedportion 230 a-230 c may be quickly increased to a first intensity L₁,quickly decreased to a second intensity L₂, quickly increased to a thirdintensity L₃, and then quickly turned off.

The illuminated portion 230 a-230 c may be illuminated with differenttypes of illumination in response to different rotations of the rotationportion 214 and/or actuations of the actuation portion 216. For example,the illuminated portion 230 a-230 c may be blinked if the actuationportion 216 is being actuated to the turn the lighting load on or off,and may be strobed if the actuation portion 216 is being actuated toconfigure the control device (e.g., to associate the control device withthe lighting load). In addition, the illuminated portion 230 a-230 c maybe illuminated with different types of illumination depending upon whichof the rotation portion 214 and the actuation portion 216 is presentlybeing actuated or rotated.

The illuminated portion 230 a-230 c may be illuminated with differenttypes of illumination when the rotation portion 214 is rotated to adjustthe color temperature of the lighting device (e.g., while the actuationportion 216 is being pressed in towards the faceplate 212 and the frontsurface 218 of the actuation portion 216 is in the second plane). Forexample, the illuminated portion 230 a-230 b may be illuminated a firstcolor (e.g., a blue color or a cool-white color) when the rotationportion 214 is being rotated clockwise to increase the color temperaturetowards a cool-white color temperature T_(CW) (e.g., a cool-white colortemperature limit) and illuminated a second color (e.g., a red color ora warm-white color) when the rotation portion 214 is being rotatedcounter-clockwise to decrease the color temperature towards a warm-whitecolor temperature T_(WW) (e.g., a warm-white color temperature limit).In addition, the color of the illuminated portion 230 a-230 b may beadjusted as the rotation portion 214 is rotated to adjust the colortemperature of the lighting device. Further, the illuminated portion 230a-230 c may be illuminated different colors when the rotation portion214 is rotated to control the lighting device to a color (e.g., anycolor) in the red-green-blue (RGB) color space. For example, the controldevice 200 may adjust the color of the illuminated portion 230 a-230 cwhen the rotation portion 214 is rotated while the actuation portion 216is being pressed in towards the faceplate 212, and transmit the finalcolor that is selected when the actuation portion 216 is released.

The illuminated portion 230 a-230 c may be illuminated to indicate thatthe lighting device has reached a limit, such as the high-end intensity.For example, when the lighting device has reached the high-endintensity, the control device 200 may be configured to provide a limitindication (e.g., a limit animation, such as a high-end animation), suchas blinking or fluttering the illuminated portion 230 a-230 c (e.g.,turning on and off rapidly numerous times over a period of time). Thecontrol device 200 may be configured to receive, for example, a messageincluding an indication that the lighting device is at the high-endintensity. The control device 200 may be configured to keep track ofand/or estimate the intensity of the lighting device when the controldevice fails to receive feedback of the intensity level of the lightingdevice. In addition, the control device 200 may be configured to keeptrack of and/or estimate the intensity of the lighting device inresponse to the rotation of the rotation portion 214 and provide thelimit indication when the tracked intensity of the lighting devicereaches the high-end intensity. Further, the control device 200 may beconfigured to provide the indication that the lighting device hasreached the high-end intensity when the rotation portion 214 has beenrotated (e.g., continuously rotated) by a predetermined threshold amount(e.g., approximately 210°), for example, without receiving any wirelesscommunication signals indicating that the lighting device is at thehigh-end intensity. For example, rotation of the rotation portion 214 bythe predetermined threshold amount may result in a change of theintensity level of the lighting device from the low-end intensity to thehigh-end intensity. The control device 200 may also indicate that thelighting device has reached another limit, such as the low-end intensityand/or color temperatures limits of the lighting device.

The illuminated portion 230 a-230 c may be illuminated in differentmanners and/or with different colors to indicate different conditions,rotations of the rotation portion 214, and/or actuations of theactuation portion 216. For example, in response to an actuation of theactuation portion 216, the illuminated portion 230 a-230 c may beilluminated white (or blue) if a battery of the control device 200 hasan appropriate amount of energy, and may be illuminated red to indicatea low-battery condition (e.g., to indicate that the battery does nothave an appropriate amount of energy). In addition, a different portionthan the illumination portion 230 a-230 c of the actuation portion 216may be illuminated to indicate the low-battery condition. For example,when the illuminated portion 230 a is illuminated at the top of theactuation portion 216 in response to an actuation of the rotationportion 214 and/or the actuation portion 216, an indication may beprovided on the bottom of the actuation portion 216 to indicate thelow-battery condition. Control devices that provide indications oflow-battery conditions are described in greater detail incommonly-assigned U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2017/0354012,published Dec. 7, 2017, entitled USER INTERFACE FOR A CONTROL DEVICE,the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

In addition, the control device 200 may provide simple feedback byshining light out of a rear side of the control device 200. For example,light may shine out of the back of the control device 200 to provide anilluminated area 240 on a front surface 242 of the faceplate 212surrounding at least a portion or the entire perimeter of the rotationportion 214 of the control device as shown in FIG. 3D. The light mayshine out of a gap between the control device 200 and the base portion220. In addition, the base portion 220 may be at least partiallytransparent or translucent in order to shine light emitted from the rearside of the control device out between the control device 200 and thefaceplate 212.

The light shining on the illuminated area 240 may be controlled asdescribed above for the illuminated portion 230 a-230 c of the frontsurface 218 of the actuation portion 216 as shown in FIGS. 3A-3C (e.g.,may be continuously illuminated, blinked or strobed for a period oftime, as an animation, etc.). The illuminated area 240 may beilluminated with different types of illumination in response todifferent actuations of the rotation portion 214 and/or the actuationportion 216, and/or depending upon which of the rotation portion 214 andthe actuation portion 216 is presently being actuated. Further, theilluminated area 240 may be illuminated with different colors and/ordifferent portions around the perimeter of the rotation portion 214 maybe illuminates to indicate different conditions and/or actuations of therotation portion 214 and/or the actuation portion 216. For example, inresponse to an actuation of the actuation portion 216, the entireperimeter around the rotation portion 214 may be illuminated white (orblue) if a battery of the control device 200 has an appropriate amountof energy, and a segment of the perimeter around the rotation portion214 (e.g., near the bottom of the rotation portion 214) may beilluminate red to indicate a low-battery condition (e.g., to indicatethat the battery does not have an appropriate amount of energy).

FIG. 4 depicts another example control device 200′ that may be deployedas the remote control device 116 in the load control system 100. Thecontrol device 200′ may be very similar to the control device 200 ofFIGS. 2, 3A-3D. However, the control device 200′ may comprise a visibleindicator 250 (e.g., a light bar or light ring), that may be illuminatedto provide feedback (e.g., simple and advanced feedback). The visibleindicator 250 may be used to provide feedback of the present and/orfuture intensity of the lighting devices paired with the control device200′. The visible indicator 250 may be located at various locations ofthe control device 200′, such as between the rotation portion 214 andthe actuation portion 216 (e.g., attached to a periphery of theactuation portion 216). The visible indicator 250 may extend along theperimeter of the rotation portion 214 and/or the actuation portion 216,and/or be configured to move with the actuation portion 216 (e.g., whenthe actuation portion is actuated). The visible indicator 250 may havedifferent shapes and/or other geometric properties. For example, thevisible indicator 250 may form a complete or partial loop, the visibleindicator 250 may be linear (e.g., substantially linear), the visibleindicator 250 may have an irregular shape such as an irregular curve ortwist, and/or the like. As referenced herein, a loop can be but is notrequired to be circular or curving. A complete loop may form a circle(e.g., as shown in FIG. 4), an oval, a rectangle, a triangle, a star, adiamond, etc., and a partial loop may include one or more parts of theforgoing structures. The visible indicator 250 may be illuminated by aplurality of light sources (e.g., LEDs) arranged in a circular patterninside of the control device 200′.

FIGS. 5A-5B illustrate the control device 200′ providing an example ofsimple feedback on the visible indicator 250. As shown in FIG. 5B, thecontrol device 200′ may be configured to provide the feedback after thecontrol device 200′ has been activated. In addition, as describedherein, the feedback provided by the visible indicator 250 may indicatethe present and/or future intensity of the lighting devices paired withthe control device 200′ to a user interfacing with the control device200′. For example, the control device 200′ may be configured to providethe feedback upon detecting a user near the control device and/or upon auser interface event being detected on a user interface of the controldevice 200′. The user interface event may be an actuation of anactuation portion 216 or a rotation of a rotation portion 214. Thefeedback may indicate that the control device 200′ is transmittingwireless communication signals (e.g., RF signals) in response to theactivation. The control device 200′ may keep the visible indicator 250illuminated for the duration of the event that triggered the feedback(e.g., while the rotation portion 214 is being rotated). The controldevice 200′ may be configured to continue to illuminate the visibleindicator 250 for a few seconds (e.g., 1-2 seconds) after the event, andthen turn off the visible indicator 250, for example, to conservebattery life.

The visible indicator 250 may be unlit (e.g., as shown in FIG. 5A) toprovide feedback that the load control devices associated therewith areoff. The LEDs that illuminate the visible indicator 250 may be turned onto a full intensity (e.g., as shown in FIG. 5B) when the load controldevices associated therewith are on or a user interface event isdetected. For example, the lighting device may be turned on in responseto a toggle event recognized by actuating the actuation portion 216 orrotating the rotation portion 214. The LEDs illuminating the visibleindicator 250 may be turned on to a full intensity to reflect the levelof intensity of the lighting devices controlled by the control device200′. When the actuation portion 216 is actuated (e.g., pressed), thevisible indicator 250 may blink between the two states shown in FIGS. 5Aand 5B to provide feedback that the actuation portion 1104 was pressedand the control device 200′ is working.

The visible indicator 250 may be illuminated to provide the feedback indifferent manners (e.g., different intensities and/or colors) when therotation portion 214 is being rotated. For example, as shown in FIG. 5B,the visible indicator 250 may be fully illuminated to and maintained ata maximum light bar intensity L_(LB-MAX) (e.g., 100%) when the rotationportion 214 is being rotated clockwise or counterclockwise (e.g., toincrease or decrease the intensity of the lighting device) to providesimple feedback. For example, the visible indicator 250 may beilluminated to a first mid-level light bar intensity L_(LB-MID1) (e.g.,80%) that is less than the maximum light bar intensity L_(LB-MAX) whenthe rotation portion 214 is being rotated clockwise (e.g., to raise theintensity of the lighting device) to provide simple feedback that therotation portion 214 is being rotated. For example, the visibleindicator 250 may be illuminated to a second mid-level light barintensity L_(LB-MID2) (e.g., 40%) that is less than the first mid-levellight bar intensity L_(LB-MID1) (and thus less than the maximum lightbar intensity L_(LB-MAX)) when the rotation portion 214 is being rotatedcounter-clockwise (e.g., to lower the intensity of the lighting device)to provide simple feedback that the rotation portion 214 is beingrotated.

Similarly, the visible indicator 250 may be illuminated with differentcolors to indicate different user inputs and/or the status of electricalloads or load control devices. For example, the visible indicator 250may be illuminated with different colors to indicate that the intensityof a lighting load is being raised or lowered, a shade level is beingraised or lowered, and/or a volume level is being raised or lowered. Thevisible indicator 250 may be illuminated with a red color when alighting intensity is being raised and with a blue color when thelighting intensity is being lowered. In addition, the visible indicator250 may be illuminated in response to an actuation of the actuationportion 216 to indicate that an electric load is being toggled on oroff. For example, the visible indicator 250 may be illuminated todisplay an animation when a lighting load is being toggled on or off toprovide simple feedback that the actuation portion 216 has been actuated(e.g., as shown in FIG. 3F).

The visible indicator 250 may be illuminated to indicate that thelighting device has reached a limit, such as the high-end intensity. Forexample, the control device 200′ may be configured to provide a limitindication (e.g., a limit animation) by blinking or fluttering thevisible indicator 250 (e.g., rapidly turn on and off numerous times overa period of time) when the lighting device has reached the high-endintensity. The control device 200′ may be configured to determine thatthe lighting device is at the high-end intensity in response to receivedwireless communication signals. In addition, the control device 200′ maybe configured to keep track of and/or estimate the intensity of thelighting device in response to the rotation of the rotation portion 214and provide the limit indication when the tracked intensity of thelighting device reaches the high-end intensity. Further, the controldevice 200′ may be configured to provide the indication that thelighting device has reached the high-end intensity when the rotationportion 214 has been rotated (e.g., continuously rotated) by apredetermined threshold amount (e.g., approximately 210′). For example,rotation of the rotation portion 214 by the predetermined thresholdamount may result in a change of the intensity level of the lightingdevice from the low-end intensity to the high-end intensity. The controldevice 200′ may also indicate that the lighting device has reachedanother limit, such as the low-end intensity and/or color temperatureslimits of the lighting device.

The visible indicator 250 may be illuminated to further indicate anamount of power being supplied to the lighting device. The controldevice 200′ may be configured to illuminate portions of the visibleindicator 250 to provide advanced feedback, for example, to indicate theintensity of the lighting device controlled by the control device 200′.For example, instead of illuminating the entire light bar of the visibleindicator 250, the control device 200′ may turn on one or more of thelight sources to illuminate a portion of the visible indicator 250, andadjust the length of the illuminated portion in accordance with controlapplied by a user. For example, when the light bar of the visibleindicator 250 is configured to have a circular shape, the illuminatedportion may expand or contract around the circumference of the light barin response to user interface events and/or adjustments in the status ofelectrical loads. The control device 200′ may adjust the intensity ofthe LED that is illuminating an end point of the illuminated portion ofthe visible indicator 250 to provide adjustment of the end point of theilluminated portion as is described in greater detail herein.

FIGS. 6A-6C illustrate the control device 200′ providing an example ofadvanced feedback on the visible indicator 250. The feedback provided bythe visible indicator 250 may indicate the present and/or futureintensity of the lighting devices paired with the control device 200′ toa user interfacing with the control device 200′. For example, FIGS.6A-6C show an illuminated portion 260 of the visible indicator 250expand and contract in one direction to provide an indication (e.g., asingle indication) of the intensity of the lighting device. For example,the control device 200′ may include a plurality of light sources (e.g.,LEDs) configured to illuminate the visible indicator 250. In response toan actuation of the control device 200 to adjust the intensity of thelighting device, the control device 200′ (e.g., a control circuitincluded therein) may illuminate a subset of the light sources such thatthe illuminated portion 260 of the visible indicator 250 is illuminatedto indicate the intensity corresponding to the actuation. Theilluminated portion 260 may begin at a starting point 262 (e.g., at thebottom of the visible indicator 250 as shown in FIG. 6A) and end at anend point 264 (e.g., along the circumference of the visible indicator250). The length and/or intensity of the illuminated portion 260 of thevisible indicator 250 may be indicative of the intensity of the lightingdevice. The subset of light sources may be illuminated uniformly to acommon intensity. Alternatively, the subset of light sources may beilluminated to different intensities.

The control circuit of the control device 200′ may be configured toincrease the length of the illuminated portion 260 (e.g., cause the endpoint 264 of the illuminated portion to move in a clockwise direction asshown in FIGS. 6A-6C) when the intensity of the lighting device is beingraised. The control circuit may be configured to decrease the length ofthe illuminated portion 260 (e.g., cause the end point 264 of theilluminate portion to move in a counterclockwise direction as shown inFIGS. 6A-6C) when the intensity of the lighting device is being lowered.This way, the illuminated portion 260 may expand and contract as theintensity of the lighting device is adjusted. For example, the visibleindicator 250 may be illuminated to indicate that the intensity of thelighting device is approximately 30% as shown in FIG. 6A, approximately60% as shown in FIG. 6B, and approximately 90% as shown in FIG. 6C. Whenthe lighting device is at the high-end intensity (e.g., approximatelyfull intensity), the entire visible indicator 250 may be illuminated.The visible indicator 250 may also be illuminated to provide the limitindication when the lighting device has reached the high-end intensity.For example, the control device 200′ may be configured to blink orflutter the visible indicator 250 (e.g., turn on and off rapidlynumerous times over a period of time) when the lighting device hasreached the high-end intensity. When the control device 200′ isconfigured to control multiple lighting device, and set respective lightintensities of the multiple lighting loads to different values, thecontrol device 200′ may be configured to illuminate the visibleindicator 250 to indicate an average of the respective intensities ofthe lighting devices, to indicate the intensity of a lighting devicenearest to the control device 200′, and/or the like.

The control device 200′ may be configured to indicate a last-knownintensity of the lighting load upon receiving a user input to turn onthe lighting load. For example, before the lighting load was turned off,the control device 200′ may store the intensity of the lighting load ina memory of the control device 200′ while quickly decreasing the lengthof the illuminated portion 260 from the end point 264 to the startingpoint 262. Subsequently, when the control device 200′ is actuated toturn the lighting load back on, the control device 200′ may illuminatethe visible indicator 250 to quickly increase the length of theilluminated portion 260 to correspond to the previously stored intensityof the lighting load. An example of a control device having a light baris described in greater detail in commonly-assigned U.S. PatentApplication Publication No. 2017/0354011, published Dec. 7, 2017,entitled USER INTERFACE FOR A CONTROL DEVICE, the entire disclosure ofwhich is hereby incorporated by reference.

FIGS. 7A and 7B are front and rear exploded perspective views of anexample remote control device 310 that may be deployed as the remotecontrol device 116 in the load control system 100 shown in FIGS. 1A and1B, the control device 200 shown in FIG. 2, and/or the control device200′ shown in FIG. 4. The remote control device 310 may be configured tobe mounted over an actuator of a standard light switch 312 (e.g., atoggle actuator of a single pole single throw maintained mechanicalswitch). The remote control device 310 may be installed over of anexisting faceplate 316 that is mounted to the light switch 312 (e.g.,via faceplate screws 318). The remote control device 310 may include abase portion 320 and a control unit 330 that may be operably coupled tothe base portion 320. The control unit 330 may be supported by the baseportion 320 and may include a rotation portion 332 (e.g., an annularrotation portion) that is rotatable with respect to the base portion320.

As shown in FIG. 7A, the control unit 330 may be detached from the baseportion 320. The base portion 320 may be attached (e.g., fixedlyattached) to a toggle actuator 314 and may be configured to maintain thetoggle actuator 314 in the on position. The toggle actuator 314 may bereceived through a toggle actuator opening 322 in the base portion 320.A screw 324 may be tightened to attach (e.g., fixedly attached) the baseportion 320 to the toggle actuator 314. In this regard, the base portion320 may be configured to prevent a user from inadvertently switching thetoggle actuator 314 to the off position when the remote control device310 is attached to the light switch 312. When the control unit 330 iscoupled to the base portion 320, the rotation portion 332 may berotatable in opposed directions about the base portion 320 (e.g., in theclockwise and/or counter-clockwise directions). The base portion 320 maybe configured to be mounted over the toggle actuator 314 of the switch312 such that the rotational movement of the rotation portion 332 maynot change the operational state of the toggle actuator 314 (e.g., thetoggle actuator 314 may remain in the on position to maintainfunctionality of the remote control device 310).

The control unit 330 may comprise an actuation portion 334. Theactuation portion 334 may in turn comprise a part or an entirety of afront surface of the control unit 330. For example, the control unit 330may have a circular surface within an opening defined by the rotationportion 332. The actuation portion 334 may comprise a part of thecircular surface (e.g., a central area of the circular surface) orapproximately the entire circular surface. The actuation portion 334 maybe received in a central circular opening defined by the rotationportion 332. In an example, the actuation portion 334 may be configuredto move towards the light switch 312 (e.g., through the central openingof the rotation portion 332) to actuate a mechanical switch (not shown)inside the control unit 330 as will be described in greater detailbelow. When the actuation portion 334 is in the idle position, a frontsurface of the actuation portion 334 may be located in a first planethat may be parallel to a front surface of the base portion 320. Therotation portion 332 and/or the actuation portion 334 may be pushed intotowards the base portion 320 to cause the front surface of the actuationportion 334 to be in a second plane that is parallel to the frontsurface of the faceplate and closer to the faceplate than the firstplane. In addition, the rotation portion 332 may be connected to theactuation portion 334 and may move with the actuation portion to actuatethe mechanical switch when the actuation portion 332 is actuated.

The control unit 330 may be released from the base portion 320. Forexample, a control unit release tab 326 may be provided on the baseportion 320. By actuating the control unit release tab 326 (e.g.,pushing up towards the base portion or pulling down away from the baseportion), a user may remove the control unit 330 from the base portion320. The control unit 330 may comprise one or more clips 338 that may beretained by respective locking members 328 connected to the control unitrelease tab 326 when the base portion 320 is in a locked position. Theone or more clips 338 may be released from the respective lockingmembers 328 of the base portion 320 when the control unit release tab326 is actuated (e.g., pushed up towards the base portion or pulled downaway from the base portion) to put the base portion 320 in an unlockedposition. In an example, the locking members 328 may be spring biasedinto the locked position and may automatically return to the lockedposition after the control unit release tab 326 is actuated andreleased. In an example, the locking members 328 may not be springbiased, in which case the control unit release tab 326 may be actuatedto return the base portion 320 to the locked position.

In addition, the control unit 330 may be installed on the base portion320 without adjusting the base portion 320 to the unlocked position. Forexample, the one or more clips 338 of the control unit 330 may beconfigured to flex around the respective locking members 328 of the baseportion and snap into place, such that the control unit 330 is fixedlyattached to the base portion.

The control unit 330 may be released from the base portion 320 to accessone or more batteries 340 through a rear side 339 of the control unit330 (e.g., as shown in FIG. 7B). The batteries 340 may provide power toat least the remote control device 310. The batteries 340 may be held inplace by a battery retention strap 342, which may also operate as anelectrical contact for the batteries. The battery retention strap 342may be loosened by untightening a battery retention screw 344 to allowthe batteries 340 to be removed and replaced. Although FIG. 7B depictsthe batteries 340 as being located in the control unit 330, it should beappreciated that the batteries 340 may be placed elsewhere in the remotecontrol device 310 (e.g., in the base portion 320) without affecting thefunctionality of the remote control device 310.

FIG. 7C is a front exploded view and FIG. 7D is a rear exploded view ofthe control unit 330 of the remote control device 310. The actuationportion 334 may be received within an opening defined by the rotationportion 332. The rotation portion 332 may comprise an inner surface 416having tabs 418 surrounding the circumference of the rotation portion.The tabs 418 may be separated by notches 420 that are configured toreceive engagement members 422 of the actuation portion 334 to thusengage the actuation portion 334 with the rotation portion 332. Thecontrol unit 330 may also comprise a bushing 424 that is received withinthe rotation portion 332, such that an upper surface 426 of the busingmay contact lower surfaces 428 of the tabs 418 inside of the rotationportion. When the rotation portion 334 is rotated, the actuation portion334 may rotate with the rotation portion. The engagement members 422 ofthe actuation portion 334 may be able to move through the notches 420 ina z-direction (e.g., towards the base portion), such that the actuationportion 334 may be able to move in the z-direction.

The control unit 330 may further comprise a flexible printed circuitboard (PCB) 430 that may be arranged over a carrier 432. The flexiblePCB 430 may comprise a main portion 434 on which most of the controlcircuitry of the control unit 330 (e.g., including a control circuit)may be mounted. The control unit 330 may comprise one or more lightsources, such as a light-emitting diode (LED) 436 mounted to a frontsurface of the flexible PCB 430 near the bottom of the flexible PCB toilluminate an illuminated portion of the actuation portion 334 (e.g.,the illuminated portion 230 b of the control device 200 shown in FIG.3B).

The control unit 330 may comprise a mask 460 configured to be mountedover the LED 436. The mask 460 may comprise a folded piece of a flexibleopaque material, such as mylar. The mask 460 may comprise a main portion462 having an aperture 462 through which light from the LED 436 mayshine to generate the illuminated portion on the actuation portion 334.The mask 460 may comprise feet 466 configured to rest on and/or beattached to the flexible PCB 430, and legs 468 configured to hold themain portion 362 and the aperture 464 above the LED 436. The mask 460may aide in generating a sharp circle of light on, around, or proximateto the actuation portion 334 (e.g., as shown in FIG. 3B). The actuationportion 334 may be made of white plastic, which may diffuse the lightthat shines through the aperture 462 and onto an inner surface of theactuation portion. In addition, the actuation portion 334 may be made ofclear plastic with the inner surface coated with paint (e.g., whitepaint), which may provide for a sharper circle of light on the actuationportion 334. The mask 460 may be omitted to generate a more diffusecircle of light on the actuation portion 334 (e.g., as shown in FIG.3A).

The flexible PCB 430 may comprise a switch tab 438 that may be connectedto the main portion 434 (e.g., via flexible arms 440). The switch tab438 may have a mechanical tactile switch 442 mounted thereto. The switchtab 438 of the flexible PCB 430 may be configured to rest on a switchtab surface 444 on the carrier 432. The carrier 432 may compriseengagement members 446 configured to be received within notches 448 inthe bushing 424. A ring 450 may snap to a lower surface 452 of therotation portion to hold the control unit 330 together. The clips 338may be attached to the carrier 432 to allow the control unit 330 to beconnected to the base portion.

When the actuation portion 334 is pressed, the actuation portion 334 maymove along the z-direction until an inner surface 458 of the actuationmember actuates the mechanical tactile switch 442. The actuation portion334 may be returned to the idle position by the mechanical tactileswitch 442. In addition, the control unit 330 may comprise an additionalreturn spring for returning the actuation portion 334 to the idleposition. In some examples, actuations of the actuation portion 334 maynot cause the actuation portion to move (e.g., the actuation portion 334may substantially maintain its position along the z-direction). Forexample, the front surface of the actuation portion 334 may be a touchsensitive surface (e.g., a capacitive touch surface) configured todetect a user input via a point actuation and/or a gesture.

The batteries 340 may be adapted to be received within a battery recess462 in the carrier 432 as shown in FIG. 7D. The batteries 340 may beheld in place by the battery retention strap 342, which may also operateas a negative electrical contact for the batteries and tamper resistantfastener for the batteries. The flexible PCB may comprise a contact pad466 that may operate as a positive electrical contact for the batteries340. The battery retention strap 342 may comprise a leg 468 that ends ina foot 470 that may be electrically connected to a flexible pad 472(e.g., as shown in FIG. 7C) on the flexible PCB 430. The batteryretention strap 342 may be held in place by the battery retention screw344 received in an opening 476 in the carrier 432. When the batteryretention screw 344 is loosened and removed from the opening 476, theflexible pad 472 may be configured to move (e.g., bend or twist) toallow the battery retention strap 342 to move out of the way of thebatteries 340 to allow the batteries to be removed and replaced.

The control unit 330 may further comprise a magnetic strip 480 locatedon the inner surface 416 of the rotation portion 332 and extendingaround the circumference of the rotation portion. The flexible PCB 430may comprise a rotational sensor pad 482 on which a rotational sensor(e.g., a Hall effect sensor integrated circuit 484) may be mounted. Therotational sensor pad 482 may be arranged perpendicular to the mainportion 434 of the flexible PCB 430 as shown in FIG. 7D. The magneticstrip 480 may comprise a plurality of alternating north (e.g., positive)and south (e.g., negative) polarized sections, and the Hall effectsensor integrated circuit 484 may comprise two sensor circuits operableto detect the passing of the north and south polarized sections of themagnetic strip as the rotation portion 332 is rotated. Accordingly, thecontrol circuit of the control unit 330 may be configured to determinethe rotational speed and direction of rotation of the rotation portion332 in response to the Hall effect sensor integrated circuit 484. Theflexible PCB 430 may also comprise a programming tab 486 to allow forprogramming of the control circuit of the control unit 330.

As shown in FIG. 7D, the carrier 432 may comprise an actuator opening490 adapted to receive the toggle actuator of the light switch when thecontrol unit 330 is mounted to the base portion. The carrier 432 maycomprise a flat portion 492 that may prevent the toggle actuator of thelight switch from extending into the inner structure of the control unit330 (e.g., if the toggle actuator is particularly long). The flexiblePCB 430 may also comprise an antenna 494 on an antenna tab 496 that maylay against the flat portion 492 in the actuator opening 490.

While not shown in FIG. 7C, the control unit 330 may comprise aplurality of LEDs arranged around the perimeter of the flexible PCB 430,for example, for illuminating the visible indicator 250 of the controldevice 200′ shown in FIGS. 4-6C.

The control unit 330 may also be configured to shine light out the rearsurface 339 of the control unit and onto the faceplate 312. The controlunit 330 may comprise a plurality of LEDs (not shown) mounted to theflexible PCB 430 and a light guide (not shown) for conducting the lightgenerated by the LEDs to shine out of the rear side 339 of the controlunit 330. For example, the light guide may be cylindrical in shape andmay be located adjacent to an interior surface of the rotation portion332. The light guide may be configured to shine light out through a gapbetween the control unit 330 and the base portion 320. For example, thecontrol unit 330 may comprise a plurality of rear-facing LEDs mounted toa rear surface of the flexible PCB 430. In addition, the control unit330 may comprise a plurality of side-firing LEDs mounted to the front orrear side of the flexible PCB 430 and configured to shine on the lightguide. Further, the base portion 320 may be at least partiallytransparent or translucent in order to shine light emitted from the rearside 339 of the control unit 330 out between the control unit 330 andthe faceplate 312.

FIG. 8A is a front exploded perspective view of another example remotecontrol device 510 that may be deployed as the remote control device 116in the load control system 100 shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the controldevice 200 shown in FIG. 2, and/or the control device 200′ shown in FIG.4. The remote control device 510 may be configured to be mounted over atoggle actuator 514 of a standard light switch 512 (e.g., a toggleactuator of a single pole single throw maintained mechanical switch).The remote control device 510 may be installed over of an existingfaceplate 516 that is mounted to the light switch 512 (e.g., viafaceplate screws 518). The remote control device 510 may include amounting assembly 520 (e.g., a base portion) and a control unit 530 thatmay be operably coupled to the mounting assembly 520. FIG. 8B is a rearperspective view of the control unit 530 of the remote control device510 of FIG. 8A. The control unit 530 may be supported by the mountingassembly 520 and may include a rotation portion 532 (e.g., an annularrotation portion) and an actuation portion 534. The rotation portion 532may be rotatable with respect to the mounting assembly 520.

As shown in FIG. 8A, the control unit 530 may be detached from themounting assembly 520. The mounting assembly 520 may be attached (e.g.,fixedly attached) to the toggle actuator 514 and may be configured tomaintain the toggle actuator 514 in the on position. The mountingassembly 520 may include a base 521 that defines a toggle actuatoropening 522 that extends therethrough and that is configured to receiveat least a portion of the toggle actuator 514. The mounting assembly 520may include an engagement mechanism, such as a bar 525, that may beconfigured to engage the toggle actuator 514, for example when thetoggle actuator 514 is received in the toggle actuator opening 522. Thebar 525 may be configured to engage the toggle actuator 514 such thatthe mounting assembly 520 is secured in position relative to the toggleactuator 514. The bar 525 may be operably coupled to the base 521, andmay be configured to be moveable, for instance translatable, relative tothe base 521. The bar 525 may be configured to be translated within thetoggle actuator opening 522 such that the bar 525 engages with thetoggle actuator 514, thereby fixedly attaching the mounting assembly 520in position relative to the toggle actuator 514 of the light switch 512when the toggle actuator 514 is in the up position or the down position.In this regard, the mounting assembly 520 may be configured to prevent auser from inadvertently switching the toggle actuator 514 to the offposition when the remote control device 510 is attached to the lightswitch 512.

The control unit 530 may be released from the mounting assembly 520. Forexample, a control unit release tab 526 may be provided on the mountingassembly 520. By actuating the control unit release tab 526 (e.g.,pushing up towards the base portion or pulling down away from the baseportion), a user may remove the control unit 530 from the mountingassembly 520. The mounting assembly 520 may include one or moreengagement features that are configured to engage with complementaryengagement features of the control unit 530. For example, as shown thebase 521 of the mounting assembly 520 may include resilient snap-fitconnectors 524, and the control unit 530 may define correspondingrecesses 525 that are configured to receive the snap-fit connectors 524.The mounting assembly 520 may include a release mechanism that isoperable to cause the control unit 530 to be released from an attachedposition relative to the mounting assembly 520. As shown, the base 521of the mounting assembly 520 may include a release tab 526 that may beactuated (e.g., pushed) to release the control unit 530 from themounting assembly 520. In operation, the release tab 526 may be pressedup toward the base 521 to allow the lowermost snap-fit connector 524adjacent to the release tab 526 to be removed from the correspondinglower recess 525 of the control unit 530, such that the control unit 530may be released from the mounting assembly 520. When the control unit530 is attached to the mounting assembly 520, the uppermost snap-fitconnector 524 may first be positioned in the corresponding upper recess525 of the control unit 530. The lower portion of the control unit 530may then be pressed toward the base 521 to allow the lower snap-fitconnector 524 to be received into the lower recess 525 of the controlunit 530.

The control unit 530 may be released from the mounting assembly 520 toaccess one or more batteries 540 through a rear side 539 of the controlunit 530 (e.g., as shown in FIG. 8B). The batteries 540 may providepower to at least the remote control device 510. The control unit 530may include a battery retention strap 542 that may be configured to holdthe battery 540 in place between the battery retention strap 542 and aprinted circuit board (PCB) 544 of the control unit 530. The batteryretention strap 542 may be configured to operate as a first electricalcontact for the battery 540. A second electrical contact may be locatedon a rear-facing surface of the PCB 544. In an example of removing thebattery 540 from the control unit 530, the control unit 530 may bedetached from the mounting assembly 520, for instance as describedherein, and the battery 540 may be slid out from between the batteryretention strap 542 and the PCB 544. The PCB 544 may define an actuatoropening 546 that extends therethrough and that may be configured toreceive at least a portion of the toggle actuator 514 of the lightswitch 512 when the control unit 530 is mounted to the mounting assembly520.

FIG. 8C is a front exploded view and FIG. 8D is a rear exploded view ofthe control unit 530 of the remote control device 510. The PCB 544 mayinclude a mechanical tactile switch 548 that may be mounted to afront-facing surface of the PCB 544. Control circuitry of the controlunit 530 may be mounted to the PCB 544, for example to the one or bothof the front-facing and rear-facing surfaces. The control unit 530 mayinclude an attachment portion 552 that is configured to carry one ormore components of the control unit 520, such as the PCB 544. Forexample, as shown the PCB 544 may be attached to the attachment portion552 via snap-fit connectors 554. The attachment portion 552 may includea plurality of tabs 556 arranged around a circumference of theattachment portion 552. The tabs 556 may be configured to be receivedwithin corresponding channels 558 defined by the rotation portion 532,to thereby couple the rotation portion 532 to the attachment portion 552and allow for rotation of the rotation portion 532 around the attachmentportion 552. As shown, the attachment portion 552 may define therecesses 525. When the control unit 530 is connected to the mountingassembly 520, the snap-fit connectors 524 of the mounting assembly 520may be received in the recesses 525 of the attachment portion 552. Theattachment portion 552 and the PCB 544 may remain fixed in positionrelative to the mounting assembly 520 as the rotation portion 532 isrotated around the attachment portion 552. When the control unit 530 isattached to the mounting assembly 520, a portion of the toggle actuator514 of the light switch 512 may be received in the actuator opening 546of the PCB 544, such that the rotation portion 532 rotates about thetoggle actuator 514 when operated.

The control unit 530 may include a resilient return spring 560 that maybe located between the actuation portion 534 and the PCB 544. The returnspring 560 may be configured to be attached to the PCB 544. As shown inFIG. 35, the actuation portion 534 may define a projection 562 thatextends rearward from an inner surface of the actuation portion 524.When a force is applied to the actuation portion 534 (e.g., when theactuation portion 534 is pressed by a user of the remote control device600), the actuation portion 534 may move in the direction Z until theprojection 562 actuates the mechanical tactile switch 548. The returnspring 580 may compress under application of the force. When applicationof the force is ceased (e.g., the user no longer presses the actuationportion 534), the return spring 560 may decompress, thereby to biasingthe actuation portion 534 forward such that the actuation portion 534abuts a rim 564 of the rotation portion 532. In this regard, the returnspring 560 may operate to return the actuation portion 534 from anactivated (e.g., pressed) position to a rest position.

The control unit 530 may include a magnetic strip 580 that may bedisposed along an inner surface 582 of the rotation portion 532. Themagnetic strip 580 may extend around an inner circumference of therotation portion 522. The control unit 520 may include one or morerotational sensors 584A, 584B that may be mounted on the PCB 544. Forexample, the rotational sensors 584A, 584B may each comprise a Halleffect sensor integrated circuit. The magnetic strip 580 may include aplurality of alternating north and south polarized sections, and therotational sensors 584A, 584B may be operable to detect passing of thenorth and south polarized sections of the magnetic strip 580 as therotation portion 532 is rotated about the attachment portion 552. Thecontrol circuit of the control unit 530 may be configured to determine arotational speed and/or direction of rotation of the rotation portion532 in response to the rotational sensors 584A, 584B.

As shown, the control unit 530 may include two pairs of light-emittingdiodes (LEDs) mounted to a front surface of the PCB 564, where each pairof LEDs comprises a first LED 586 of a first color (e.g., white or blue)and a second LED 588 of a second color (e.g., red). The first pair ofLEDs 586, 588 may be located near the top of the control unit 530adjacent to a perimeter of the PCB 564 as shown in FIG. 7C, and thesecond pair of LEDs 586, 588 may be located near the bottom of thecontrol unit 530 adjacent to the perimeter of the PCB 564. The controlunit 530 may be configured to control the LEDs 586, 588 to illuminate anilluminated portion near the top of the actuation portion 534 (e.g., theilluminated portion 230 a of the control device 200 shown in FIG. 3A).

The control unit 530 may be configured to be mounted to the mountingassembly 530 in a first orientation (e.g., a first vertical orientation)in which the toggle actuator 514 of the light switch 512 is in an upposition (e.g., as shown in FIG. 8A), and a second orientation (e.g., asecond vertical orientation) in which the toggle actuator 514 is in adown position. The control unit 530 may comprise an orientation sensingcircuit (not shown), such that the control unit 530 may be configured todetermine an orientation of the control unit. For example, through theuse of the orientation sensing circuit, the control unit 530 maydetermine its orientation relative to the space where it is installed(e.g., based on gravity) and/or its orientation relative to anothercomponent, such as the faceplate 516, the toggle actuator 514 of thelight switch 512, etc. For example, the control unit 530 may beconfigured to determine whether the control unit 530 is attached to themounting assembly 520 in the first orientation or the second orientationusing the orientation sensing circuit. The control unit 530 may beconfigured to illuminate one of the first LEDs 586 to illuminate theilluminated portion near the top of the actuation portion 534 (e.g.,white or blue) depending on whether the control unit 530 is mounted inthe first orientation or the second orientation. The control unit 530may be configured to illuminate one of the second LEDs 588 to illuminatea portion of the actuation portion 534 near the bottom of the actuationportion 534 (e.g., red) to display a low-battery indication. The controlunit 530 may be configured to illuminate both LEDs 586, 588 of one ofthe pairs of LEDs to illuminate the illuminated portion near the top ofthe actuation portion 534 different colors depending on whether therotation portion 532 is rotated to adjust the color temperature of thelighting device. For example, the illuminated portion may be illuminatedblue or a cool-white color when the rotation portion 532 is beingrotated clockwise to increase the color temperature towards a cool-whitecolor temperature T_(CW) and illuminated red or a warm-white color whenthe rotation portion 532 is being rotated counter-clockwise to decreasethe color temperature towards a warm-white color temperature T_(WW).

While not shown in FIG. 8C, the control unit 520 may comprise aplurality of LEDs arranged around the perimeter of the PCB 564, forexample, for illuminating the visible indicator 250 of the controldevice 200′ shown in FIGS. 4-6C.

The control unit 530 may also be configured to shine light out the rearside 539 of the control unit and onto the faceplate 512. The controlunit 530 may comprise a plurality of LEDs (not shown) mounted to theflexible PCB 564 and a light guide (not shown) for conducting the lightgenerated by the LEDs to shine out of the rear side 539 of the controlunit 530. For example, the light guide may be cylindrical in shape andmay be located adjacent to an interior surface of the rotation portion532. The light guide may be configured to shine light out through a gapbetween the control unit 530 and the base portion 520. For example, thecontrol unit 530 may comprise a plurality of rear-facing LEDs mounted toa rear surface of the flexible PCB 564. In addition, the control unit530 may comprise a plurality of side-firing LEDs mounted to the front orrear side of the flexible PCB 564 and configured to shine on the lightguide. Further, the mounting assembly 520 may be at least partiallytransparent or translucent in order to shine light emitted from the rearside 539 of the control unit 530 out between the control unit 530 andthe faceplate 512.

In addition, the control unit 530 may be configured to be mounted in ahorizontal orientation. FIG. 8E is a perspective view of the controlunit 530 mounted to a pedestal 570 in the horizontal orientation. Thecontrol unit 530 may be mounted to the pedestal 570, so that the controlunit 530 may be placed on a horizontal surface, such as a table top. Thecontrol unit 570 may be configured to determine that its in thehorizontal orientation in response to the orientation sensing circuit.The control unit 530 may be configured to illuminate one or the other ofthe first LEDs 586 when the control unit 530 is mounted in thehorizontal position. For example, the control unit 530 may be configuredto decide to illuminate one of the first LEDs 586 when the control unit530 is mounted in the horizontal position, and prevent subsequentadjustment of which LED is illuminated in response to the orientationsensing circuit (e.g., prevent subsequent illumination of the other oneof the first LEDs 586). For example, the one of the first LEDs 586 thatthe control unit 530 decides to illuminate in the horizontal positionmay be predetermined (e.g., predefined) and/or may be dependent upon thelast one of the first vertical orientation or the second verticalorientation in which the control unit 530 was oriented. In addition, thecontrol unit 530 may determine the one of the first LEDs 586 toilluminate in the horizontal position in response to one or moreactuations of the rotation portion 532 and/or the actuation portion 534.Further, the control unit 530 may determine the one of the first LEDs586 to illuminate in the horizontal position in response to a digitalmessage (e.g., in one or more wireless communication signals receivedvia a wireless communication circuit). The control unit 530 may preventsubsequent adjustment of which LED is illuminated in response to theorientation sensing circuit while the control unit remains in thehorizontal orientation. The control unit 530 may resume adjusting whichLED is illuminated in response to the orientation sensing circuit

The control unit 530 may be configured to decide which of the secondLEDs 588 to illuminate when the control unit 530 is mounted in thehorizontal position in a similar manner.

While the rotation portions 214, 332, 532 and the actuations portions216, 334, 534 of the control device 200, the remote control device 310,and the remote control device 510 shown and described herein have acircular shape, the rotation portions and the actuation portions couldhave other shapes. For example, the rotation portions and the actuationportions may a rectangular shape, a square shape, a diamond shape, atriangular shape, an oval shape, a star shape, or any suitable shape.The front surface of the actuation portions 216, 334, 534 and/or theside surfaces of the rotation portions 214, 332, 532 may be planar ornon-planar. The surfaces of the control device 200, the remote controldevice 310, and/or the remote control device 510 may be characterized byvarious colors, finishes, designs, patterns, etc.

FIG. 9 is a simplified block diagram of an example control device 900(e.g., a remote control device), which may be deployed as the remotecontrol device 116 in the load control system 100, the control device200, the remote control device 310, and/or the remote control device510. The control device 900 may include a control circuit 910, one ormore actuators 912 (e.g., buttons and/or switches), a rotational sensingcircuit 914, a wireless communication circuit 918, a memory 920, abattery 922, an orientation detection circuit 924, and/or one or moreLEDs 926. The memory 920 may be configured to store one or moreoperating parameters (e.g., such as a preconfigured color scene or apreset light intensity) of the control device 900. The battery 922 mayprovide power to one or more of the components shown in FIG. 9.

The one or more actuators 912 may include a button or switch (e.g., amechanical button or switch, or an imitation thereof) such as thosedescribed in association with the actuation portion 216 of the controldevice 200, the actuation portion 334 of the remote control device 310,and/or the actuation portion 534 of the remote control device 510. Theactuators 912 may be configured to send respective input signals to thecontrol circuit 910 in response to actuations of the actuators 912(e.g., in response to movements of the actuators 912). The rotationalsensing circuit 914 may be configured to translate a force applied to arotating mechanism (e.g., such as the rotation portion 214 of thecontrol device 200, the rotation portion 332 of the remote controldevice 310, and/or the rotation portion 532 of the remote control device510) into an input signal and provide the input signal to the controlcircuit 910. The rotational sensing circuit 914 may include, forexample, one or more magnetic sensors (such as Hall-effect sensors(HES), tunneling magnetoresistance (TMR) sensors, anisotropicmagnetoresistance (AMR) sensors, giant magnetoresistance (GMR) sensors,reed switches, or other mechanical magnetic sensors), a mechanicalencoder, an optical encoder, and/or a potentiometer (e.g., a polymerthick film or other resistive trace on a printed circuit board).

The control circuit 910 may be configured to translate the input signalsprovided by the actuators 912 and/or the rotational sensing circuit 914into control data for controlling one or more electrical loads. Thecontrol circuit 910 may cause control signals (e.g., digital messages)including the control data to be transmitted to the electrical loads viathe wireless communication circuit 918. For example, the wirelesscommunication circuit 918 may transmit a control signal including thecontrol data to the one or more electrical loads or to a centralcontroller of the concerned load control system. The control circuit 910may transmit a control signal including control data for turning one ormore lighting loads on or off in response to an actuation of one of theactuators 914. The control circuit 910 may transmit one or more controlsignals including control data for adjusting the intensities of one ormore lighting loads in response to rotations of the rotating mechanismdetermined from the rotational sensing circuit 914. The control circuit910 may transmit one or more control signals including control data foradjusting the color (e.g., the color temperature) of one or morelighting loads in response to rotations of the rotating mechanism whileone of the actuators 912 is being actuated. The control data maycomprise commands for controlling the electrical loads and/orindications of actuations of the actuator 914 and/or the rotatingmechanism.

The control circuit 910 may be configured to determine an orientation ofthe control device 900 in response to the orientation sensing circuit924. The control device 900 may be mounted to a mounting assembly (e.g.,the mounting assembly 530) in a first orientation (e.g., a firstvertical orientation) and a second orientation (e.g., a second verticalorientation) that is, for example, approximately 180° from the firstorientation. For example, the mounting assembly may be mounted over atoggle actuator of a light switch when the toggle actuator is in an upposition in the first orientation (e.g., as shown in FIG. 8A) and whenthe toggle actuator is in a down position in the second orientation. Theorientation sensing circuit 924 may comprise, for example, anaccelerometer and/or a gyroscope. The control circuit 910 may beconfigured to determine the orientation (e.g., whether the controldevice 900 is in the first orientation or the second orientation) eachtime the control circuit wakes up from an off or sleep state. Inaddition, the control circuit 910 may be configured to determine thatthe control device 900 is mounted in a horizontal orientation inresponse to the orientation sensing circuit 924.

The control circuit 910 may illuminated the one or more LEDs 926 toprovide simple feedback about various conditions. For example, thecontrol circuit 910 may control the one or more LEDs to illuminate anilluminated portion (e.g., the illuminated portions 230 a-230 c) on thefront surface 218 of the actuation portion 216 as shown in FIGS. 3A-3Cand/or shine light from the rear side of the control module 200 onto thefaceplate 212 as shown in FIG. 3D. In response to an actuation of one ormore of the actuators 912 and/or an input received from the rotationalsensing circuit 914, the control circuit 910 may control the one or moreLEDs 926 to provide the simple feedback indicating the control circuit910 is presently transmitting wireless signals via the wirelesscommunication circuit 918. The control circuit 910 may be configured todetermine which of the LEDs 926 to illuminate to provide the simplefeedback in response to the orientation sensing circuit 924 (e.g.,depending upon whether the control device 900 is in the firstorientation or the second orientation). In addition, when the controldevice 900 is mounted in the horizontal orientation, the control circuit910 may be configured to determine which of the LEDs 926 to illuminateand then prevent subsequent adjustment of which LED is illuminated inresponse to the orientation sensing circuit 924.

A user that is interfacing with a respective control device may beunaware of certain conditions that exist at the control device and/orother device within a load control system. For example, the user may beunaware of the state of the control device (e.g., the state of thecontrol device's battery) and/or the type of control that the controldevice is configured to perform (e.g., adjusting intensity levels orcolor temperature). In addition, the user may be unaware of the effectsthat interfacing with the control device has on other devices within theload control system (e.g., lighting devices paired with eth controldevice). As a result, the user may be unable effectively interface withthe control device. In order to provide the user with the ability toeffectively interface with the control device, the control device may beconfigured to provide feedback (e.g., simple feedback and/or advancedfeedback) to the user in response to a user interface event. FIGS. 10-12illustrate example procedure for providing feedback to a user inresponse to a user interface event.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart of an example control procedure 1000 that may beexecuted by a control circuit of a control device (e.g., the controlcircuit 910 of the control device 900). For example, the control circuitmay execute the control procedure 1000 at 1010 in response to therotation of a rotation portion (e.g., the rotation portions 118, 214,332, and/or 532). At 1012, the control circuit may determine anorientation of the control device (e.g., based on the orientationsensing circuit 924) to determine if the control device is in a firstorientation or a second orientation. In addition, the control circuitmay be configured to determine if the control device is in a horizontalorientation at 1012. At 1014, the control device may determine if abattery level of the control device is low. If the battery level of thecontrol device is low at 1014, the control circuit may provide anindication of a low-battery condition at 1016, which may indicate thestate of the control device to a user, and the control procedure 1000may exit. In addition, the indication of the low-battery condition. Forexample, the control circuit may control one or more LEDs to illuminatea bottom portion of an actuation portion (e.g., the actuation portions117, 216, 334, and/or 534) red. The control circuit may determine whichof the LEDs to turn on in order to illuminate the bottom portion of theactuation portion in response to the orientation determined at 1012.

If the battery level of the control device is not low at 1014, thecontrol circuit may provide an rotation animation at 1018. For example,the control circuit may control one or more of the LEDs to provide theactuation animation by illuminating an illuminated portion near the topof the actuation portion (e.g., the illuminated portion 230 a shown inFIG. 3A). The control circuit may provide the actuation animation byturning an LED on and off once to (e.g., as shown in FIG. 3E) orcontrolling an LED to generate a “heartbeat” animation (e.g., as shownin FIG. 3F). The control circuit may determine which of the LEDs tocontrol in order to illuminate the illuminated portion near the top ofthe actuation portion in response to the orientation determined at 1012.

At 1020, the control circuit may transmit control data for controllingat least one lighting device. For example, the control circuit maytransmit one or more digital messages that include a “move-to-level”command at 1020 for raising and/or lowering the intensity of lightingdevice in response to rotations of the rotation portion. If the rotationis complete at 1022, the control procedure 1000 may exit. If therotation is not complete at 1022, the control circuit may determine ifthe rotation portion has been rotated (e.g., continuously rotated) by apredetermined threshold amount (e.g., approximately 210°) at 1024. Ifnot, the control circuit may transmit the control data again at 1020(e.g., at a periodic rate). If the rotation portion has been rotated bythe predetermined threshold amount at 1024 and the rotations of therotation portion are for raising the intensity of the lighting device at1026 (e.g., clockwise rotation), the control circuit may provide ahigh-end animation to indicate that the lighting device has reached ahigh-end intensity at 1028, before the control procedure 1000 exits. Forexample, rotation of the rotation portion by the predetermined thresholdamount may result in a change of the intensity level of the lightingdevice from the low-end intensity to the high-end intensity. The controlcircuit may provide the high-end animation at 1028 by blinking orfluttering the illuminated portion of the actuation portion (e.g.,turning on and off rapidly numerous times over a period of time).

FIG. 11 is a flowchart of another example control procedure 1100 thatmay be executed by a control circuit of a control device (e.g., thecontrol circuit 910 of the control device 900). For example, the controlcircuit may execute the control procedure 1100 at 1110 in response tothe rotation of a rotation portion (e.g., the rotation portions 118,214, 332, and/or 532). At 1112, the control circuit may determine anorientation of the control device (e.g., based on the orientationsensing circuit 924) to determine if the control device is in a firstorientation or a second orientation. In addition, the control circuitmay be configured to determine if the control device is in a horizontalorientation at 1112. If a battery level of the control device is low at1114, the control circuit may provide an indication of a low-batterycondition at 1116, and the control procedure 1000 may exit. For example,the control circuit may control one or more LEDs to illuminate a bottomportion of an actuation portion (e.g., the actuation portions 117, 216,334, and/or 534) red. The control circuit may determine which of theLEDs to turn on in order to illuminate the bottom portion of theactuation portion in response to the orientation determined at 1112.

If the battery level of the control device is not low at 1114, thecontrol circuit may determine if the actuation portion is being actuatedwhile the rotation portion is being rotated at 1118. If the actuationportion is not being actuated while the rotation portion is beingrotated at 1118, the control circuit may provide illuminate anindicator, such as an illuminated portion near the top of the actuationportion (e.g., the illuminated portion 230 a shown in FIG. 3A) at 1120.For example, the control circuit may control one or more of the LEDs toilluminate the illuminated portion white at 1120. If the actuationportion is being actuated while the rotation portion is being rotated at1118 and the rotation is a clockwise rotation at 1122 (e.g., to raise acolor temperature of the lighting device), the control circuit mayilluminate the indicator (e.g., the illuminated portion of the actuationportion) a cool-white color (or blue) at 1124. If the actuation portionis being actuated while the rotation portion is being rotated at 1118and the rotation is a counter-clockwise rotation at 1122 (e.g., to lowera color temperature of the lighting device), the control circuit mayilluminate the indicator (e.g., the illuminated portion of the actuationportion) a warm-white color (or red) at 1126.

For example, the control circuit may control one or more of the LEDs toilluminate the illuminated portion white at 1120. If the actuationportion is being actuated while the rotation portion is being rotated at1118 and the rotation is a clockwise rotation at 1122 (e.g., to raise acolor temperature of the lighting device), the control circuit mayilluminate the indicator (e.g., the illuminated portion of the actuationportion) a first color (e.g., a cool-white or blue color) at 1124. Ifthe actuation portion is being actuated while the rotation portion isbeing rotated at 1118 and the rotation is a counter-clockwise rotationat 1122 (e.g., to lower a color temperature of the lighting device), thecontrol circuit may illuminate the indicator (e.g., the illuminatedportion of the actuation portion) a second color (e.g., a warm-white orred color) at 1126.

After illuminating the indicator at 1120, 1124, or 1126, the controlcircuit may transmit control data for controlling the lighting device at1128. For example, if the rotation of the rotation portion is forraising or lowering the intensity of the lighting device, the controlcircuit may transmit a “move-to-level” command at 1128 for adjusting theintensity of lighting device in response to rotation of the rotationportion. If the rotation of the rotation portion is for raising orlowering the color temperature of the lighting device, the controlcircuit may transmit a “move-to-color-temperature” command at 1128 foradjusting the color temperature of lighting device in response torotation of the rotation portion. If the rotation is complete at 1130,the control circuit may turn off the indicator (e.g., by turning off theLEDs illuminating the illuminated portion of the actuation portion) at1132, and the control procedure 1100 may exit.

If the rotation is not complete at 1130, the control circuit maydetermine if the rotation portion has been rotated by a predeterminedthreshold amount (e.g., approximately 210°) at 1134. If the rotationportion has been rotated by less than the predetermined thresholdamount, the control circuit may transmit the control data again at 1128(e.g., at a periodic rate). If the rotation portion has been rotated bythe predetermined threshold amount at 1134, the control circuit mayprovide a limit indication (e.g., a limit animation) to indicate thatthe lighting device has reached a limit (e.g., a high-end intensity, alow-end intensity, a cool-white color temperature limit, and/or awarm-white color temperature limit) at 1136, before the controlprocedure 1100 exits. For example, rotation of the rotation portion bythe predetermined threshold amount may result in a change of theintensity level of the lighting device between the low-end intensity andthe high-end intensity, and/or between the cool-white color temperaturelimit and the warm-white color temperature limit. The control circuitmay provide the limit animation at 1136 by blinking or fluttering theilluminated portion of the actuation portion (e.g., turning on and offrapidly numerous times over a period of time).

FIG. 12 is a flowchart of another example control procedure 1200 thatmay be executed by a control circuit of a control device (e.g., acontrol circuit of the remote control device 116 in the load controlsystem 100, a control circuit of a system controller, such as the hubdevice 180, and/or the control circuit 910 of the control device 900).For example, the control circuit may execute the control procedure 1200at 1210 in response to the rotation of a rotation portion (e.g., therotation portions 118, 214, 332, and/or 532) and/or at 1128 of thecontrol procedure 1100 of FIG. 11. In addition, the control circuit mayexecute the control procedure 1200 in response to receiving control dataindicating a rotation of a rotation portion of an external device (e.g.,the control circuit of the hub device 180 may execute the controlprocedure 1200 in response to receiving a digital message includingcontrol data indicating a rotation of the rotation portion 118 of theremote control device 116). During the control procedure 1200, thecontrol circuit may generate and/or transmit control data forcontrolling at least one lighting device (e.g., the lighting devices 112a, 112 b, 122).

At 1212, the control circuit may determine if an actuation portion(e.g., the actuation portions 117, 216, 334, and/or 534) is beingactuated while the rotation portion is being rotated. If the actuationportion is being actuated while the rotation portion is being rotated at1212 and the rotation portion is being rotated clockwise at 1214, thecontrol circuit may generate and/or transmit control data for raisingthe color temperature of the lighting device at 1216. If the actuationportion is being actuated while the rotation portion is being rotated at1212 and the rotation portion is being rotated counter-clockwise at1214, the control circuit may generate and/or transmit control data forlowering the color temperature of the lighting device at 1218. Forexample, the control circuit may adjust the color temperature of thelighting device at 1216 and 1218 by an amount dependent upon the amountof rotation of the rotation portion.

If the actuation portion is not being actuated while the rotationportion is being rotated at 1212, the control device may determine ifthe lighting device is on at 1220. If the lighting load is on at 1220and the rotation portion is being rotated clockwise at 1222, the controlcircuit may generate and/or transmit control data for raising theintensity of the lighting device at 1224. If the lighting load is on at1220 and the rotation portion is being rotated counter-clockwise at1222, the control circuit may generate and/or transmit control data forlowering the intensity of the lighting device at 1226. For example, thecontrol circuit may adjust the intensity of the lighting device at 1224and 1226 by an amount dependent upon the amount of rotation of therotation portion. If the lighting load is off at 1220 and the rotationportion is being rotated clockwise at 1228, the control circuit maygenerate and/or transmit control data for turning on the lighting deviceto an intensity determined by the amount of rotation of the rotationportion at 1230. If the lighting load is off at 1220 and the rotationportion is being rotated counter-clockwise at 1228, the control circuitmay generate and/or transmit control data for turning on the lightingdevice to a low-end intensity (e.g., a minimum intensity). The controlcircuit may not adjust the intensity of the lighting device from thelow-end intensity in response to continued rotation of the rotationportion in the counter-clockwise direction.

1. A method for controlling an external lighting device in a loadcontrol system, the method comprising: determining whether a controlunit is mounted to a base portion in a first or second orientation; inresponse to a rotation of a rotation portion, wherein the control unitcomprises the rotation portion, and the rotation portion is rotatablewith respect to the base portion: determining first control data forcontrolling the lighting device; controlling a first light source toilluminate an illuminated portion on a front surface of an actuationportion if the control unit is mounted to the base portion in the firstorientation, wherein the control unit comprises the actuation portion,the actuation portion is received in an opening of the rotation portion,and the illuminated portion is located near the top of the actuationportion; controlling a second light source to illuminate the illuminatedportion if the control unit is mounted to the base portion in the secondorientation; and transmitting control signals including the firstcontrol data; and in response to an actuation of the actuation portion:determining second control data for controlling the lighting device;controlling the first light source to illuminate the illuminated portionof the actuation portion if the control unit is mounted to the baseportion in the first orientation; and controlling the second lightsource to illuminate the illuminated portion of the actuation portion ifthe control unit is mounted to the base portion in the secondorientation; and transmitting control signals including the secondcontrol data.
 2. The method of claim 1 further comprising: determiningif the rotation portion has been rotated by a first amount in a firstdirection; and controlling the first light source or the second lightsource to provide a first indication on the illuminated portion when therotation portion has been rotated by a first amount in a firstdirection.
 3. The method of claim 2 further comprising: determining therotation portion has been rotated by a second amount in a seconddirection; controlling the first light source or the second light sourceto provide a second indication on the illuminated portion of theactuation portion if the rotation portion has been rotated by a secondamount in a second direction.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein thefirst direction is clockwise and the first indication indicates when thelighting device is at a high-end intensity, and wherein the seconddirection is counter-clockwise and the second indication indicates whenthe lighting device is at a low-end intensity.
 5. The method of claim 2further comprising: determining when the rotation portion has beencontinuously rotated by a predetermined threshold amount; and providingthe first indication on the illuminated portion of the actuation portionin response to determining that the rotation portion has beencontinuously rotated by the predetermined threshold amount.
 6. Themethod of claim 5, wherein the predetermined threshold amount is anamount of rotation required to raise the lighting device from a low-endintensity to a high-end intensity.
 7. The method of claim 2 furthercomprising: receiving a message, via a communication circuit, whereinthe control unit comprises the communication circuit, indicating thatthe lighting device has reached a limit; and providing the firstindication on the illuminated portion of the actuation portion inresponse to receiving the message indicating that the lighting devicehas reached the limit.
 8. The method of claim 2 further comprising:tracking an intensity of the lighting device; and providing the firstindication on the illuminated portion of the actuation portion when theintensity of the lighting device has reached a limit.
 9. The method ofclaim 2 further comprising providing the first indication on theilluminated portion of the actuation portion by blinking the first lightsource or the second light source.
 10. The method of claim 1 furthercomprising controlling the first light source or the second light sourceto continuously illuminate the illuminated portion for a period of timeafter detecting the actuation of the actuation portion.
 11. The methodof claim 10, wherein the period of time is a fixed period of time. 12.The method of claim 10 further comprising controlling the first lightsource or the second light source to continuously illuminate theilluminated portion while the actuation portion is being actuated. 13.The method of claim 10 further comprising controlling the first lightsource or the second light source to illuminate the illuminated portionred to indicate a low-battery condition after detecting the actuation ofthe actuation portion.
 14. The method of claim 1 further comprising:determining the first control data for adjusting a color temperature ofthe one or more lighting devices in response to the rotation of therotation portion; illuminating the illuminated portion a first colorwhen the rotation portion is rotated in a first direction; andilluminating the illuminated portion a second color when the rotationportion is rotated in a second direction.
 15. The method of claim 14further comprising: illuminating the illuminated portion a blue colorwhen the rotation portion is rotated to adjust the color temperaturetowards a cool-white color; and illuminating the illuminated portion ared color when the rotation portion is rotated to adjust the colortemperature towards a warm-white color.
 16. The method of claim 14further comprising determining the first control data for adjusting thecolor temperature of the one or more lighting devices when the actuationportion is being actuated while the rotation portion is being rotated.17. The method of claim 1 wherein a mask is located between the firstlight source or the second light source and the actuation portion, themask comprising an aperture through which light emitted by the firstlight source or the second light source may shine onto the actuationportion.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the actuation portion ismade of clear plastic and an inner surface of the actuation portion iscoated with paint, and wherein the illuminated portion of the actuationportion is a sharp circle of light.
 19. The method of claim 17, whereinthe actuation portion is made of white plastic, and the illuminatedportion of the actuation portion is a diffuse circle of light.
 20. Themethod of claim 17, wherein the mask comprises a piece of mylar that isfolded and is configured to mount above a printed circuit board to whichthe first light source or the second light source is mounted.
 21. Themethod of claim 1 further comprising: determining whether the controlunit is mounted to the base portion in the first orientation or thesecond orientation in response to an orientation sensing circuit; anddetermining which of the first and second light sources to control inresponse to the orientation sensing circuit.
 22. The method of claim 21further comprising: determining whether the control unit is mounted in ahorizontal orientation; and determining which of the first and secondlight sources to control if the control unit is mounted in a horizontalorientation; and preventing subsequent adjustment of which of the firstand second light sources is controlled in response to the orientationsensing circuit.
 23. The method of claim 1, wherein the base portion isconfigured to be mounted over a mechanical switch.
 24. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the illuminated portion of the actuation portion islocated near the center of the actuation portion.
 25. The method ofclaim 24, wherein the illuminated portion of the actuation portion is aring of light.
 26. The method of claim 1 further comprising controllingthe first light source or the second light source to illuminate theilluminated portion differently depending upon which of the actuationportion and the rotation portion were actuated.
 27. A method forcontrolling an external lighting device in a load control system, themethod comprising: in response to a rotation of the rotation portion:determining control data for controlling an intensity of the lightingdevice; controlling a plurality of light sources to illuminate a least aportion of a visible indicator to indicate an intensity of the lightingdevice, wherein the visible indicator comprises a circular light barlocated between a rotation portion and an actuation portion of a controlunit, the control unit configured to connect to a base portion, and therotation portion is rotatable with respect to the base portion; andtransmitting control signals including the control data; determiningwhether the intensity of the lighting device has reached a limit; andcontrolling the plurality of light sources to provide a limit indicationon the visible indicator.
 28. The method of claim 27 further comprisingproviding the limit indication by controlling the plurality of lightsources to blink the visible indicator.
 29. The method of claim 27further comprising: receiving a message, via a communication circuit,indicating that the lighting device has reached the limit; and providingthe limit indication on the visible indicator in response to receivingthe message.
 30. The method of claim 27 further comprising: tracking anintensity of the lighting device; and providing the first indication onthe illuminated portion of the actuation portion when the intensity ofthe lighting device has reached the limit.
 31. The method of claim 27,wherein the limit comprises a high-end intensity or a low-end intensity.32. The method of claim 27, wherein the base portion is configured to bemounted over a mechanical switch.